Third Person POV
The sight Percy saw was both breathtaking and slightly alarming. All twelve Olympians, plus Hades, all in their godly form, and all looking at him with a mix of expressions. Some had amusement in their faces, while others had a glint of excitement. He surveyed the room. Each god and goddess had a distinct presence, an aura if you would, filling the room with their unique energy. Percy was in awe of the sheer power and majesty that emanated from each Olympian. He felt as though he were in the presence of true divinity, something that was both humbling and terrifying.
Zeus sat on his grand throne, at the head of the room, his regal countenance emanating authority and power. The god's dark eyes flickered with a mixture of mirth and interest as Percy approached. Poseidon, his father, sat tall and proud, his trident resting at his face was hard to read, but Percy could sense a hint of emotion flickering across warm eyes. Next to him was Ares, his muscular arms crossed over his chest, and a devilish grin on his face as he saw Percy. The two had never been on good terms, even to this day. Ares liked to think Percy was a lowly demigod, and Percy liked to think Ares was jealous of his sword skills. Apollo, the younger twin, sat beside Ares, Strumming a sweet melody on his lyre . The notes were like drops of liquid gold, washing over Percy and filling him with the warmth of the sun. Hermes was watching Percy, with a curious expression on his face. The god of mischief didn't have his usual glint of excitement in his eyes, rather a look of boredom. Contrastingly, Hephaestus was not focused on Percy, but more on the little device he had been tinkering on, a metallic, robot-like, object. The youngest male god was lost in thought, working feverishly to bring his latest creation to life.
On the other side, Hera seemed to be in a heated discussion with her husband. He only seemed to nod or shake his head in response, much to the queen of the gods' irritation. Demter seemed to be leaning back against her viny throne, her eyes closed in deep contemplation, radiating the calmness and stillness of the earth. Athena's wise face bore a smirk as she watched Percy, like she knew something he didn't which, being the wisdom goddess, she probably did. Next to her was Artemis, goddess of the moon. Naturally, she didn't seem very interested in me, especially after the… stunt I decided to pull. She was whispering something to Athena, before they both smirked. To her left was Lady Aphrodite, sitting primarily on her throne. Even with the most stern expression, her beauty was captivating. She gave a little wave to the son of Poseidon, which he didn't feel like returning. As it currently stood, he and Aphrodite weren't on the best terms either. Finally, right at the end was Dionysus. The pudgy god seemed a little out of place on the women's side, but it wasn't like there was any other place for him to be.
Hades, having no actual throne, was on a small wooden stool, near Hephaestus. The poor stool seemed to be crumpling under the gods immense weight, something Hades appeared completely oblivious to, giving Percy a wink. His dark robes seemed to blend into the shadows, making him almost invisible to those who didn't know where to look. Despite his grim and eerie appearance, Hades was one of the most respectable as well as misunderstood gods in Percy's opinion. As for Nico, Percy had never seen him look so at ease in the company of the Olympians. He was usually so reserved and quiet, but here he seemed to be in his element. His legs were crossed in front of him, his face impassive as he watched the gods with a detached air. Percy had no idea whether he was actually allowed there, but for the moment decided not to question it. Then of course, hidden away in the darkest, yet brightest corner of the throne room, was the final goddess. She was completely absorbed in her work, tending to the flames of her hearth with a gentle touch. Percy could feel the warmth radiating from the fire, and it gave him a sense of comfort in the otherwise tense atmosphere. He'd always wondered if Hestia ever felt left out, being the only one without a throne, but then again, she didn't seem to mind, content in her simple yet important role as the guardian of the hearth. The way he saw it, Hestia was the most important Olympian, regardless of whether she had a throne or not.
All at once, the council slowly quietened down. Shouts turned into murmurs which turned into whispers which turned into nothing. Every eye was gazing at Percy, who was struggling to hide his growing unease.
"Perseus Jackson," Zeus's voice suddenly boomed, cutting through the heavy silence. His head snapped up at the mention of his name, looking towards the King of the Gods.
"'Sup?" he asked nonchalantly, causing Hermes and Apollo to snicker. Zeus pursed his lips, but didn't comment on it.
"Perseus, we have summoned you here to tell you a story." Percy raised his eyebrow, and Zeus's tone seemed to grow a little softer. "I want to tell you the story about my son, Hercules." Almost every god groaned loudly, with the exception of Hera who just glared murderously at her husband.
"For the hundredth time, no one wants to hear the story about another one of your sons!" Athena grumbled.
Zeus ignored the bickering among his fellow gods, instead focusing on Percy. He spoke with a sense of pride and nostalgia, as if recounting the story of his son brought back fond memories.
"Hercules was a son of mine. He was very strong, yes, but he was also very kind. In a way, he reminds me of you, Perseus." Percy was surprised by the comparison. He had always felt like an outsider among the Olympians, a mere demigod in a word of immortality. To be compared to one of Zeus's own sons was unexpected, to say the least. "Now one day, like all humans, Hercules made a grave mistake, only his mistake was unforgivable. People died, and the guilty deserved punishment." A sudden creaking sound caused Percy to whip his head around. Hades had shifted on his stool, causing it to groan in protest. The god let out a grumble, causing Percy to lightly chuckled. The sound echoed in the now-quiet room, causing all eyes to turn to him. Zeus fixed his brother with a glare for interrupting him, before looking back at Percy and continuing his story. "Then came the twelve labours of Hercules. Brutal, humiliating and deadly, every single task was designed to leave him left for death, yet somehow, he still persevered. Do you want to know why, Perseus?" He was tempted to just say not really, but he knew Zeus wouldn't find it as humorous as he would.
"Why?" he asked, after a long pause. Percy branched himself, expecting some cryptic riddle of philosophical answer. Instead, Zeus simply said, "Because he yearned…"
"Yearned for what?" Percy asked, confused.
"I dunno, he just yearned…" Zeus trailed off.
"Father, that's not how you use the word, yearned," Athena muttered, but he didn't seem to care, waving her away without a second thought, continuing his story.
"Hercules became an immortal, a god of heroes. He was granted a place among the stars, where he could continue to inspire others for all eternity. He became a symbol of hope and perseverance, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a chance for redemption."
The council nodded in agreement, Apollo even looked moved by the story, or perhaps he was just jealous Zeus never used his stories as lessons. The Lord of the Sky paused, as if lost in thought before adding, "Perhaps we can all take a lesson from Hercules's actions. We all make mistakes, but it is how we face them that defines us. It is through our actions and our perseverance that we can make a difference in the world." At this, Zeus looked at the rest of the Olympians, who either yawned or vigorously nodded their heads.
"Didn't he get poisoned in the end by his wife?" Percy asked, cocking his head to the side.
"Meh, irrelevant I say."
"Lord Zeus, this is all a fascinating story," Percy began tentatively, trying to remain respectful. Zeus's face lit up with pleasure when he heard the word fascinating, "But what has this got to do with me?" The Lord of the Sky stroked his beard thoughtfully, as if pondering how to best phrase his answer.
"Good question Perseus," Zeus finally said, turning his attention back to Percy. "To answer your question, I need to take you back a few years." Percy sighed inwardly, expecting another long, elaborate story from him.
"With all due respect-" Percy interjected. "I don't think I'm in the mood for another story." Some of the gods snickered, but they fell silent immediately when they saw Zeus's sharp glare. The lord of the sky was not known for his patience or leniency, especially when someone interrupted him. Zeus leaned back in his throne, looking amused despite Percy's impatience.
"Oh I can assure you Perseus, you definitely want to listen to this story," he said, his voice low and rumbling.
"And how would you know that?" he asked, causing Zeus's smirk to only grow wider.
"Because it begins one month after you left Camp Half Blood with Nico Di Angelo, when a certain daughter of Athena paid us all a visit."
Aside from Hera still giving her husband dirty looks, every god and goddess was staring curiously at Percy. Perhaps they just wanted to see his reaction, or perhaps it was something more.
"Very well Lord Zeus, you have captivated my attention," Percy finally spoke. Zeus, ever the showman, leaned back in his throne with a smug grin on his face.
"Well, where do I start?" he mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Ah yes. It all began on a quiet day in the throne room. Hestia was with me, as was Demeter and Aphrodite. I was just minding my own business, enjoying a moment of peace and quiet on my throne, when a familiar girl stumbled into the room." Percy leaned in closer, piqued by his words. "It was obvious she was fatigued," he continued, "so I immediately called on Demeter to give her a little spare ambrosia from last night's dinner to replenish her strength." At this, Demeter nodded her head, a faint smile on her lips. "When she seemed to be less out of breath, she spoke, and I tell you Perseus, her words moved even my heart." Aphrodite gave a dreamy sigh, lost in her memories.
"What did she say?" Percy asked, frowning. It wasn't like Annabeth to randomly rush in such a hurry to the council, unless she had an awesome idea to share with Athena, and even that had only happened once before. It was even more unlike her to leave without telling me first. Zeus paused for effect, relishing the moment of drama. Straightening himself on his throne, he looked Percy in the eye.
"Well first she told everyone about what happened between you and Percy. I must admit my nephew, I am truly sorry for your breakup. Even Demeter got a little teary when the girl told us how blunt Aphrodite had been with you." Poseidon shot the love goddess a glare at this.
"Thank you Lord Zeus," Percy said, bowing his head down. Just for a moment, there seemed to be an awkward silence, before Zeus cleared his throat and continued.
"Now, if I recall correctly, you were offered Godhood at the end of the second Titan War, weren't you?" Percy nodded stiffly. "I do not wish to make you feel bad, Perseus," Zeus continued, his voice taking on a more sombre tone, "but please tell the council why you rejected godhood. Why would the great Perseus Jackson reject the greatest gift possible, the gift that very few have had bestowed upon them?" His eyes darted between the council, pleading for at least one immortal to stop him and to say there was no need for him to reveal it to the crowd. Not a single Olympian rose to his rescue. Even Hestia seemed to be facing them, her face a mix of intrigue and curiosity.
"I didn't want Annabeth to lose me the same way I was so afraid of losing her," he said, head hanging low. The room fell silent once more, and even the goddesses, with the exception of Athena and Artemis, seemed to be moved by Percy's words. A few of them wiped away tears, while others looked on with sympathy. It was clear that Percy's decision had not been an easy one, especially after their… breakup.
"You see, nephew, Annabeth knew that. Once you had broken up, she felt a great sense of guilt. It weighed on her heavily that she was the reason you abandoned godhood, and then she 'dumped you' as Aphrodite would say-"
Percy's face flushed red with anger at the mention of the word 'dumped'.'
"She did not dump me!" he protested, raising his voice, "It was mutual," he added, in a much quieter voice, feeling slightly embarrassed for his outburst. Zeus roared with laughter at Percy's reaction, and even some of the other gods and goddesses chuckled at the exchange.
"Whatever floats your boat, nephew," he finally said, causing Poseidon to grin at the pun.
"We're here for you Perce," Apollo said from his throne. "Heartbreak is something most of us have felt, isn't that right Hermes?" Apollo nudged the god next to him, getting a nod.
"Man, I remember the time when I fell for a mortal woman," Hermes began, lost in memories. "It was love that could never be, and it broke my heart when she passed away." Apollo looked at his friend sadly.
"Love is such a fickle thing. It's so sad when it ends and when the girl leaves you."
"Or maybe it's just the fact that both of you are so poor at communicating with them that they leave you as soon as possible," Artemis smirked, a teasing glint in her eyes, enjoying the chance to annoy her brother. He gave her a mock glare.
"Oh sister, you wound me truly," Apollo said, feigning hurt. "Anyway, at least girls don't run away from me, unlike males when they see you." Even Demeter couldn't help but giggle at Apollo's remark, quickly shutting up from Artemis's glare.
"Now, assuming there are no more interruptions, can I continue my story? Zeus glared at the bickering siblings, before fixating his attention on Percy again. "Of course, Annabeth being the person she is, wanted us to just give you godhood again, but I mean that's just ridiculous. You declined it in front of us all, making us take your oath instead." Percy nodded again, remembering the moment vividly.
"I was the first to tell her it was a flat out no," Zeus continued. "But you see Perseus, this is where the true magic of the story begins. So, the main reasons we couldn't just offer you godhood again is because the decision must be unanimous. If even one of the Olympians, plus Hades, rejects the idea, it cannot happen." Percy nodded. It made sense after all. That's why he had been offered godhood in the first place, because the whole council had agreed he had saved Olympus and was worthy of it…
"But," Zeus said, a sly smile playing on his lips, "I must admit, your girlfriend, or ex girlfriend, or mutual break up friend, or just friend, whatever you want to call her, she has the determination of Hercules." At this, Percy couldn't help but smile at the thought of Annabeth. She was always determined to do what was right, and no one could stop her once she had her mind fixed on something.
"She refused to leave Olympus without all of us agreeing to grant you immorality again. It got so bad that even Athena couldn't get her to budge. Honestly, had I not been in such a good mood, my master bolt would've been out in milliseconds." Percy raised an eyebrow, but didn't comment further, instead continuing to listen to the story.
"But alas," Zeus continued, his eyes twinkling, "the day before I'd won a fairly large jackpot in the Olympian Grand Casino. Therefore, seeing as I was feeling lucky, I decided to make a… deal with her. Do you wanna know what it was?"
"Okay, I'll bite, what was it?" Percy sighed. Zeus smiled.
"The deal was Anabeth would do one task for every single god of the council, plus Hades of course. If she succeeded, we would grant you another chance at immortality. Fail and… Well I'm not sure, we hadn't thought too far ahead yet. Annabeth agreed immediately, and hence, The Thirteen Labours of Annabeth began. Now let me tell you nephew, they were tough. Some were easy, like your father, Poseidon's task. Annabeth was overjoyed when she was asked to reconstruct his games room. On the other hand, Artemis's task…" Zeus shuddered, looking at his daughter, who glared back.
"It wasn't even that bad!" she protested.
"No, you took advantage of it," Hera muttered, siding with her husband.
"Relax, she didn't mind-"
"Oh for Hades sake you put her on night patrol for the entire month!" Zeus yelled.
"Do we really need to use my name like that when I'm right here?" Hades grumbled, getting ignored.
"Yeah, so?" Artemis retorted. "And it's not like your task was much nicer, eh? If anything it was even worse!" Zeus's face grew pink, before he went back to talking to Percy.
"Well as you can see, it was tough work for her, but somehow she kept persevering, like my son Hercules- Oh Hera, do your dirty glares when we get home!" The goddess blushed in embarrassment, before muttering something about how ungrateful Zeus had become. Wisley, the king of the gods decided to not reply.
"Now, we have gathered you here today, Perseus, because Annabeth finished her final task from Dinoysus earlier last week. I must admit, I was more than surprised that she succeeded, and even more shocked she was still mentally stable. Nevertheless, a deal is a deal, Perseus. Truly your… friend is a stunning, kind person. She's the light every guy wishes for." The entire council seemed to go still, watching Percy soak all of this up, before Hera suddenly started abruptly hitting her husband.
"Why. Don't. You. Do. Anything. Like. That. For. Me!?" Hera was yelling, giving him a punch with each word. Zeus's eyes pleaded with the rest of the council to help him out, but no one responded.
"You're on your own brother," Hestia said from the corner, a playful smile on her face.
"Perseus Jackson," Zeus's voice boomed once he was finished apologising to his wife for the fiftieth time, having promised to take her on a date later on in the week. "As one of the most powerful demigods to have ever lived, you have proven yourself time and again to be a worthy ally to the gods of Olympus. Your bravery and strength have saved both the mortal and immortal worlds countless times." He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over the other deities seated around the room, ensuring no one had any objections. "It is for this reason that we have decided to offer you godhood and immortality once again… Plus the fact that Annabeth went through thirteen trials to make us offer you this gift once again." Percy raised an eyebrow, a mix of shock and disbelief washing over him. He had never thought he would be offered godhood again, especially after he had turned it down the first time. He opened his mouth to respond, but Zeus beat him to it.
"Let me remind you, nephew, if you choose to decline our generous offer, you will have to explain to Annabeth why you would do such a thing. I don't think she would take it well, after all the trials she went through to secure your immortality." Percy gulped, feeling a wave of guilt wash over him. His friend had gone through so much to get him this final departing present. He knew that he couldn't simply decline it without a good reason.
"Think about it Percy," Poseidon interjected, his voice gentle. It was the first time he had spoken throughout the entire meeting. "There is no one more deserving of such a gift. You have proven your worth time and again. I have watched you grow into a powerful demigod, but I have also seen the dangers that come with mortality. As your father, it is my greatest fear that one day, I will lose you." Percy felt a lump form in his throat. His father hadn't been involved much in his life, but hearing him speak those words aloud made him realise just how much he meant to him. He looked around the room once again, taking in the curious gazes of the other deities. Artemis and Hades seemed to be watching him intently, as if trying to gauge his reaction. Percy took a deep breath, trying to steady his shaking nerves. He knew that this was a decision he couldn't make lightly. Immortality was a gift, but it also came with a great responsibility. He had seen firsthand the toll that immortality had taken on some of the gods and goddesses.
"I… I appreciate the offer, Lord Zeus" Percy began, his voice hesitant. "But this has all been sprung so fast on me. I need some time to think about it." Zeus raised an eyebrow, but didn't argue.
"Very well," he said, nodding his head. "Take your time, Perseus, but remember, this is a once in a lifetime offer. I know we did say that about the last one, but this time we truly mean it. I did not want to offer you this gift again, yet the girl essentially made me." Percy nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him.
"Oh and Perseus," Zeus added before the demigod could wander off. "The council will patiently wait here for you to tell us your opinion. Unfortunately, after how long it took to find you, we cannot allow you to leave the ground of Olympus before telling us your decision. By all means, go outside, touch some grass, take a stroll, but you're prohibited from leaving. We hope to hear from you soon, nephew." Giving a slight nod, Percy turned around, leaving the throne room as fast as he had entered it.
For a while, Percy wandered around Olympus, lost in his own thoughts and emotions. Not even the gorgeous, unreal view from up high on Olympus could shake him out of his deep thought process. Such a big, life changing decision, and so little time to decide. He sighed, resting his hands on a balcony that overlooked the mighty Olympus. As he leaned against the railing, he took a deep breath of fresh air and gazed out at the serene view. The sun was just setting, casting a warm glow over the landscape. The colours of the sky were a magnificent mix of oranges, pinks, and purples, and the breeze was cool and refreshing against his skin. It was peaceful up there, away from the chaos of the mortal world. For a moment, Percy forgot about the weight of the decision that he had to make. Accepting immortality was a big choice to make, and he knew he needed to think carefully about it. Yes, on one hand, he would be able to live forever and never age. He wouldn't have to worry about sickness or injury, and he would have all the time to explore the world and learn everything. However, by doing so, he would be giving up his mortality, and with it, his true connection to the mortal realm. As a god, he could still pay mortals a visit, but would it really be the same when all he'd be thinking would be how they'd soon be dead, and he would still be exactly how he was? He would have to watch as all his mortal friends grew old and died. His parents would pass on to Hades' realm, forcing him to live on without them. Is that the life he really wanted?
As he contemplated these thoughts, Percy felt a pang of sadness wash over him. He had always felt a strong connection to all his mortal friends, and the thought of eventually losing them was difficult to bear. Then again, this is what Annabeth wanted him to do. It was her who persevered through thirteen different trials so that he could reach this point in life. A small smile played on his lips. Even broken up, Annabeth was the most amazing woman on the face of the planet, short of maybe his mother.
Lost in thought, Percy didn't even notice as someone approached him from behind.
"Beautiful view, isn't it?" A voice said, causing Percy to jump slightly in turned to see Hestia standing next to him with a warm smile, gazing out at the same view.
"Lady Hestia," he said, bowing.
"May I join you, Perseus, or Percy as it seems you like to be called?" He smiled faintly before nodding, grateful for her company. Hestia joined him at the balcony, and they both stood there silently for a moment, taking in the beauty of the view. Finally, Hestia spoke up.
"I can sense your unease, Percy. Would you like to talk about it?" He hesitated for a moment.
"The Hearth listens to everyone's problems," she said, placing a hand on his arm, reassuring him. He sighed, before opening up to the goddess.
"I'm just not sure if immortality is the right choice for me," I finally said. Hestia didn't react, which was nice. There was no laughter, no playful smile, no raised eyebrow, just her.
"And why is that?" she asked after a pause. He shrugged, unsure of what to say.
"Perseus, there is always a reason, so tell me, what is your reason for wanting to decline the god's generous gift, for the second time." Percy sighed, defeated.
"It's because immortality is a sign from Annabeth." At her expression, Percy elaborated. "Annabeth wants me to move on from her, and this is her way of getting me to. She still wishes to be friends with me, but this gift is a sign that there is no way we can be together, and it pains me." Hestia listened attentively, nodding in understandment.
"I can see why you would feel that way, Percy. Indeed with immortality, your loves fade into your losses, but you overlooked one last thing. The other reason why Annabeth got you this gift is because she believes in you. She knows that if there's one god or goddess who can try and fix this world and make it a better place, it's you Perseus. She has put all her faith in you. Do you really want to let her down?" Percy thought about Hestia's words. He knew that she was right, but the thought of outliving everyone, especially Annabeth, still weighed heavily on him. Sensing how uncertain he still was, Hestia placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"Whatever you decide, Perseus, just know that it is the right choice for you. You have a good, strong heart, and I trust that you will make the right decision." With that, Hestia left Percy to his thoughts, and he continued to contemplate his decision.
Approaching the throne room, Percy felt his stomach churn with nerves. He'd made his decision, but still felt unsure about it. The doors to the throne room swung open, and Percy felt all eyes turn towards him. The council seemed to be eager for his arrival. A hush went through the room, and everyone quickly shut up. All eyes were on the twice saviour of Olympus as he walked towards Zeus's throne. His footsteps made echoing sounds along the marble floor, and he couldn't help but feel the weight of the moment. As he approached the throne, Zeus sat up straight, looking down at him with a mixture of interest and expectation.
"Nephew," he began. "I assume you have made your decision?" Percy gave a slight nod, and Zeus leaned back..
"Good, good," he said, stroking his beard. "Well, why don't you tell us?" Percy took a deep breath, gathering his courage. Looking around, he saw Hestia give him another warm smile, making him feel better about himself.
"I choose… immortality."
For a moment, the entire council was silent. Percy couldn't tell if they were shocked or disappointed by his gods gave each other looks as if to confirm they'd heard the right thing. Then, it was absolute chaos. The next thing Percy knew, drachmas were being thrown across the room as gods and goddesses yelled at each other, arguing over their bets. Not even Zeus could establish order, partly because he was too busy collecting drachmas from everyone else.
"Did-did you all bet on me accepting godhood?" Percy said, raising his voice to be heard over the clamour.
"Of course we did, cuz," Apollo yelled from somewhere in the mess. "How else would we be able to make this meeting exciting?" Percy couldn't help but laugh. Sometimes, even the gods could act immature.
Once all the scrambling was over and everyone had settled back into their seats, Percy took a moment to collect himself and take in the scene. Zeus and Hestia were smirking, having raked in the most money, closely followed by Poseidon. Surprisingly, Demeter and Aphrodite had also made a decent amount of profit, grinning at each other. Unfortunately, not everyone was happy. Hermes and Hera seemed to be sulking, most likely having lost quite a bit of money.
"I told you not to bet against me! Zeus laughed gleefully, wagging his finger at his son. "My my, I really have been lucky recently, thank the Fates." Percy was amused at the sight of the usually dignified gods and goddesses behaving so childishly. He sighed, turning to Zeus.
"Now that you've finished your juvenile routine, can we talk about what's happening with me?" He asked, playfully glowering at the king of the gods who sheepishly smiled, before continuing.
"Very well Perseus, you have made a heavy decision. Immortality is not something to be taken lightly.."
"I understand," Percy replied, "but I feel like it's right for me." Zeus nodded.
"Plus Annabeth will beat me all the way to Tartarus if I don't," he jokingly muttered under his breath. All jokes aside, he was incredibly grateful that he had a friend like Annabeth.
"I hope you're prepared for the consequences of your decision. Immortality is a gift, but it also comes with great burdens and responsibility." Percy swallowed hard, feeling a sense of foreboding settle over him. Could he handle all these new responsibilities? Only time would tell.
"Lord Zeus-"
"It's just Zeus now," Apollo said with a wicked smile. "Us gods don't call each other Lord and Lady." Percy nodded.
"That is true, but I respect my Uncle, and for the time being, I will continue calling him Lord Zeus." The King of the Gods beamed at his nephew. Gods, he really was in a good mood if he's beaming at me, Percy thought.
"Lord Zeus, I do have a few conditions in order to accept your offer," he began. All of a sudden, Zeus's happy expression faded away, and he raised an eyebrow.
"Conditions? What kind of conditions? I must remind you, immortality isn't a favour on us, nephew. We have no need to grant you any conditions."
"Peace brother," Poseidon said from his throne. "At least hear him out, even if you do not wish to accept them. Plus, need I remind you if Percy declines immortality, that healthy stack of drachmas of yours is going back to Hermes and everyone else." Zeus grumbled, but eventually agreed to listen to him.
"Well for starters, I want to make sure that I can continue to have a life outside of godhood," Percy began. "I don't want to be tied down to Olympus and my godly duties all the time, and I want to be able to have a choice in how I spend my time." There was a moment of silence as everyone considered his request. Percy could see the hesitation in Zeus's face, but he held his ground. How could he accept immortality if it meant giving up his own autonomy and freedom?
Zeus leaned forward, his expression serious.
"Percy, I understand your desire for independence, I think we all do, but you can't just neglect your responsibilities to play patty cake with the nymphs all day long."
"I understand that, Lord Zeus," Percy said respectfully, ignoring the 'patty cake' part, "but I want to choose when and where I do my duties. I don't want to be forced to work 24/7." The gods seemed to look at Zeus in amusement. Percy had a very good point, and Zeus knew that he couldn't just ignore it. Eventually, it was Hermes who spoke up from his seat, a twinkle in his eye.
"I think we can work something out, Percy. We could create a schedule or checklist of sorts, at least during your first few years, so that you can have designated times for godly duties as well as times for personal pursuits." Athena nodded in agreement.
"I feel like Hermes is right, Father. We can try assigning the boy an assistant as well, to manage his responsibilities." Percy's eyes widened in surprise.
"An assistant?"
"Yes," Athena said firmly. "You may be an immortal now, but you are still young and inexperienced. It would be unwise to not have someone to guide and assist you in your new role." Zeus considered their suggestions for a moment, stroking his beard, before eventually nodding in agreement.
"Very well Perseus. We will grant you an assistant as well as some sort of timetable. Is there anything else you wish to say?"
"Actually, now that you mention it, I want Hestia and Hades to have their own thrones on Olympus!" Percy said, holding his head high. "There is no reason to neglect one of your brothers, and Hestia has proved her determination to stand by Olympus's side so many times." For a moment, every god stared wide-eyed at him, their mouths hanging open in shock. Even Percy was surprised by the audacity of his own words. He had never been one to speak up in front of the council, but something about this felt different. This time, it wasn't about him, but about two of his favourite gods (no one could beat Poseidon). Then, all of a sudden, a low chuckle came from beside him. Percy whipped his head around, only to see Hades struggling to contain his laughter. Soon enough, Zeus joined in, roaring loudly, followed shortly by Hestia.
"I-I don't understand?" he said, confused. "What's so hilarious?" This only caused Hades to laugh even louder.
"Oh Percy," Hestia giggled, enveloping him in a hug rivalling his mothers. "You're so sweet!" Percy glowered at Zeus and Hades until their laughter subdued and they could finally speak.
"Nephew," Zeus managed to wheeze out between bursts of laughter. "Forget Hades for a second. Do you really think I wanted to kick Hestia off the council? When Dionysus was made an Olympian, I actually wanted Aphrodite gone, but Hestia left to prevent another civil war. There are twelve seats of power, and for the foreseeable future there will only be twelve seats, unless I have a very good reason to change that." Zeus mused, looking at the heart fallen Percy.
"However your concern for your fellow gods does not go unnoticed. It shows that you have a sense of justice and fairness, something rare among most gods. It makes me feel more confident about my decision in making you a god. Now, you see, even though Hestia and Hades are not Olympians, they do have places here on Olympus… er to an extent. Hestia is always tending to the Hearth, and Hades does visit during the winter solstice and other important meetings. I feel, unless anyone has any objections, Percy should be given the chance to vote and attend our meetings. We can even give him a mini stool like Hades has." At this, the Lord of the Dead grinned.
"We can be stool buddies!" He exclaimed, causing Nico to snort and Percy to facepalm.
"Now Perseus, the Fates should be coming pretty soon. They'll give you your domains and whatever else you need to know." Percy nodded his could feel the anticipation building up inside of him as he wondered what domains he would be granted. Would he be given control over the seas, or maybe the skies? Or perhaps something entirely unexpected? As he waited, he couldn't help but wonder about the responsibilities that came with his newfound powers. Would he be able to handle them? Would he make mistakes that could potentially endanger others? He certainly hoped not, or Zeus would not be happy with him. Imagine messing up the job on day one….
As his thoughts continued to race, he was startled by a loud noise coming from behind. He turned to see the Fates, floating in the air. They appeared otherworldly, draped in flowing dark robes, and with eyes that seemed to pierce through the very fabric of reality itself. When the Fates arrived, the atmosphere changed. Everyone quietened down, even Zeus who gulped at the sight of them, although who could blame him. Percy felt a shiver run down his spine as he gazed at the three ancient sisters, their faces lined with age, wisdom, and amusement. He wondered what they thought of him, if they approved of his ascension to godhood.
"Perseus Jackson," the three sisters began in union, their voices echoing through the chamber. "Son of Poseidon and Sally Jackson, Protector of New Rome, Saviour of Olympus, Bane of Titans, Defender of Camp Half-Blood, Bane of Giants, Bearer of the Curse of Achilles, Bearer of the Curse of Atlas, Survivor of Tartarus and Liberator of Thanatos." They glared at him as if to say, you're not getting any more titles. "In the name of the Olympian council, we Fates grant you godhood. Witness the climb to immortality!" As they finished a sudden bright light appeared, blinding him. He fell to the ground, eyes shut, and the council began chanting loudly.
"Με τη δύναμη της μοίρας και τα νήματα που υφαίνουν, δίνουμε στον Περσέα Τζάκσον τη θεότητα των θεών."
"Με τη δύναμη της μοίρας και τα νήματα που υφαίνουν, δίνουμε στον Περσέα Τζάκσον τη θεότητα των θεών."
"Με τη δύναμη της μοίρας και τα νήματα που υφαίνουν, δίνουμε στον Περσέα Τζάκσον τη θεότητα των θεών."
"By the power of Fate and the threads they weave, we give Perseus Jackson the divinity of the gods," Dionysus squeaked, before remembering he was meant to be talking in greek.
He could feel a strange energy coursing through his body. It was a feeling unlike anything he had ever experienced before, almost like the power of the ocean and… something else. Percy tried to focus on the chanting, to keep his bind steady, but a searing pain was growing in his head, becoming unbearable. It felt like his skull was being cracked open, like his brain was on fire. The last thing Pecy thought before fainting was, Guy's, I don't even speak Greek well. Then he suddenly collapsed to the floor, head screaming in agony, body crying out loud as each drop of red blood was slowly transformed into the golden ichor of the gods.
When Percy opened his eyes, he found himself lying on the ground, his head resting on the cold marble floor. His vision was fuzzy, but he could make out a couple of gods looking at him in curiosity and anticipation.
So I was really excited when I was writing this, and nervous to see how everyone would react. I decided Hestia and Hades shouldn't get thrones because it doesn't make sense that after thousands of years without thrones, suddenly one person asks for them to get thrones, and they get it. Also, how was the Annabeth idea!? Hope it wasn't cliché and made sense.
I gave Percy some domains that aren't too OP, but sorta suit him, and he's not an Olympian because too OP and unrealistic.
Last thing, how would people feel about me writing a short story titles, The Thirteen Labors of Annabeth? It would be fairly short, and just detail how she got Percy a second chance at godhood.
Sorry for the massive AN. As always, please do read and review!
"Rise, Perseus Jackson," the Fates said, smirking at him, "God of Rivers, Floods, Leadership, Comfort, Illusions and Metamorphosis."