Charlotte POV
Returning to the Artemis's felt like stepping into a sanctuary of familiarity. The moon's gentle embrace illuminated the clearing, infusing the air with a silvery glow that seemed to caress every leaf and blade of grass. The tranquil symphony of the night whispered its secrets, a soothing balm to my senses.
As my footsteps carried me deeper into the heart of the palace, the hunters all scrambled towards me. I had to go through about fifty different hugs before I could finally sit down, a sisterhood rekindled in the shadowed grove. They guided me to a place by the fire, inviting me to take a seat within their sacred circle. Among the warriors was Thalia, her grin a beacon of camaraderie.
"Charlotte, welcome back. We were beginning to worry."
"Worry? About what? We've done it. Gone is… well gone." Thalia lamely rolled her eyes as I returned her smile, the warmth of their presence sweeping away the isolation I had felt during my absence. "Thank you though, Thalia. It's good to be home."
I noticed Sophie sitting by the fire, her leg wrapped in a tight bandage. I raised an eyebrow.
"Injury," she sighed. "I tell you, those Itegra's have aimbot or something. I would've fought more, but sadly, Thalia forced me to go back here."
"Forced?" she scoffed. "I saved your life because-"
"Because you foresaw Percy was going to come back? Nu uh, that isn't sitting right with me. We all know this fight was win or lose: there was no inbetween, and you all needed all the firepower you could get. Now Charlotte, can you tell me what actually happened down there? These hunters said they were waiting for you to get back with whatever news you had."
Taking a deep breath, I began, my words interweaving with the hushed tones of my fellow Huntresses.
"It was chaos," I started, my voice carrying the weight of recent events. "Gone was relentless, and we fought back as best we could. Arrows flew, blades clashed. We knew we couldn't hold them off for long. But then, from the top of a hill, Percy appeared, standing tall with a golden staff. He fought like a true hero, taking on Gone and his creatures." Murmurs of awe and astonishment swept through the gathering as I painted the scene with my words.
"He was incredible, his moves calculated and fierce. He clashed with Gone, and for a moment, it seemed like Percy was losing ground. But he never wavered. He fought back with everything he had. Gone's weapon was formidable, a pitch-black sword, but Percy's staff seemed to glow with power." Huntresses exchanged glances, captivated by the narrative. Sophie, her face still showing signs of pain, leaned forward slightly, her eyes fixed on me.
"After a relentless back-and-forth, just when it looked like Percy might falter, he summoned an incredible burst of energy. He swung his staff with such force that it sent shockwaves through the air. I didn't see properly, but I think the ground beneath Gone cracked or something, and Percy seized the opportunity to strike. He drove his staff into Gone's chest with unwavering determination." A collective gasp swept through the room as the magnitude of the battle sank in. Sophie's eyes widened, her voice barely a whisper.
"Did he... defeat him?" Charlotte nodded, her gaze steady as she recounted the victory. ""Yes. Gone fell to the ground, his sword slipping from his hand. Percy stood victorious, breathing heavily but triumphant. He'd done it." She knew we won, but even then, Sophie let out a long sigh.
"Good, good, well, he did okayish for a man." I raised my eyebrow. "Hey, I called him a man." The hunt just burst into laughter at that.
"So who is Gone then?" Sophie asked. A shadow passed over me as I remembered.
"Annabeth was Gone all along," I explained. "Percy discovered the truth. Nyx had twisted her into a weapon against us. It was haunting to see her transformation, her confusion and regret as she returned." Sophie's pained gaze was fixed on me.
"And Percy... he saved her?" I nodded.
"Yes, he managed to break the hold Nyx had on her, but she still had some play in the events, and therefore the council decided to punish her. It was a bittersweet victory." Thalia's voice echoed her own sentiments.
"Annabeth got caught in the crossfire."
"In your opinion," Sophie retorted. Ever since talking to Percy, she'd learned a lot about Thalia, and about what she had done. As silence settled in, we processed the weight of the battle's revelations, each of us grappling with the complexity of the situation.
"It's over now, that's all that matters," I said, a note of finality in my tone.
"Thanks to Percy, we're safe now. He was our beacon of hope, leading us to victory against all odds. We owe him everything." The room was steeped in a mixture of emotions — gratitude, awe, and a renewed sense of unity. My story had woven a tapestry of Percy's heroic actions, and that tale would forever reside within the heart of the Huntresses.
"Besides," I smirked, "I think we'll be seeing a lot more of Percy now."
"And why's that?" Sophie sighed. My smile only grew.
"You'll see," I snickered, vividly remembering Percy's latest title.
Artemis POV
As we assembled in the council room, Zeus's commanding voice cut through the air, ordering everyone to their seats. Obediently, we took our designated places, and my gaze involuntarily drifted to Percy, who met my eyes with a mischievous grin. A warmth stirred within me, a flutter that seemed to make my heart want 's presence, his indomitable spirit, had a way of lighting up even the gravest of gatherings. My thoughts began to drift, reflecting on the kindness that radiated from Percy. His actions were a testament to his character, his bravery during the battle having reaffirmed my belief in his capacity for greatness. It was more than gratitude that I felt; it was a deep sense of appreciation for his willingness to give a second chance to someone who had wronged him. His ability to see beyond the surface was a trait that humbled me. Even now, my thoughts lingered on the image of his grinning face, a beacon of hope in the room. The fatigue and dirt of battle seemed to have done nothing to diminish his charm. His dishevelled hair and the glint in his sea-green eyes only added to his allure. I found myself marvelling at how his appearance could evoke such a reaction within me.
As the discussions continued, I took a moment to offer silent gratitude to Aphrodite. Ultimately, it had been with her help that I'd managed to get with Percy, and I wasn't going to just forget it like that. Some day, somehow, I'll give her thanks, and I'll mean it from the bottom of my heart. My gaze shifted towards the side, where the Revenant stood. Calypso seemed somewhat isolated, her eyes fixed on everyone else with a mix of curiosity, pain and isolation. A pang of sympathy tugged at my heart; the journey she had undertaken had been one of solitude and hardship. I couldn't help but wish for her to find solace and companionship, for her to discover the sense of belonging that she deserved. Again, had it not been for her, she wasn't sure Percy would've chosen me over her, yet he had, and he'd said it not only to me, but to everyone else when he declared his latest title.
All of a sudden, there was a bright flash as the same god who'd slapped Annabeth earlier and teased me appeared, smiling brightly. She still had that sadistic look in her eyes, as if all she wanted to do was start a fight and watch it play out.
"You again?" Zeus glared. "What brings you here now?"
"Why," the girl began slyly, "I just want to see the proceedings. Besides, this is going to be a really good show, so how could I miss out?"
"This is for Olympian's only-"
"Well, not anymore," she said in a bored voice. "Now are you going to continue or are you going to stand there looking like an absolute… I don't even wanna know what word I need to describe you." Zeus glared at her, but nevertheless, continued his speech.
"My fellow immortals," he thundered. "Through peril and trial, we have stood united against forces that sought to tear us asunder. The battles have been brutal, the losses staggering, but together we have emerged victorious." The girl's smirk remained as she leaned back against a pillar, her posture oozing with nonchalance. Although clearly annoyed, Zeus pretended to be unfazed by her presence, his attention focused on addressing the council.
"From the depths of Tartarus to the heights of Olympus, our resolve has been tested," he continued. "But each blow we weathered, each challenge we overcame, only served to strengthen our unity. There were times when everything looked dark ahead, but still, united as one, we persevered. And so, we must recognise those who led us through these last tense few battles." As Zeus's words turned toward acknowledging Percy's role, the room erupted in applause.
"Percy Jackson," Zeus declared, "your leadership, your courage, have steered us toward this victory. Your name shall be etched into the annals of history. We all should show appreciation to the man which without, it would've been difficult-"
"Difficult?" Percy asked innocently.
"Impossible," Zeus said. "Impossible to defeat Gone." I caught Poseidon giving Percy a wink." As the applause reverberated, Percy's expression was a mix of gratitude and humility. The other girl also clapped with the others, an unexpected show of appreciation that seemed to surprise even me.
"And let us not forget," Zeus continued, "the Revenant, who fought alongside Percy with unwavering loyalty." More clapping resumed, with Percy joining in this time, enthusiastic for his team's success.
"To the valiant members of the Revenant," Zeus declared, "I bestow upon each of you the blessing of strength in times of need. May your courage remain unshaken, and may your efforts always bear fruit." They only raised their eyebrows, and even I did. After all, what even was a blessing of strength in times of need compared to what they;d done.
"And now," Zeus's gaze turned to Percy, "to you, Percy Jackson, a reward befitting your accomplishments." I held my breath, my heart skipping a beat. What gift could Zeus offer to someone who was already a god?
"With the authority granted by the council," Zeus's voice reverberated, "I hereby confirm your divine status as an immortal entity. A god among us, with the freedom to shape and protect the world as you see fit." He frowned.
"Uhh…"
"You're not bound by the ancient laws," he sighed. "The Fates have agreed on it. Nothing much I can give to an already immortal to be honest."
Percy however, instead of agreeing, decided to stand up. His sudden rise from his seat and his smirk caught my attention, drawing the focus of the room. With a commanding tone, he addressed Zeus, his words carrying an unexpected weight.
"That's all cool, but now Zeus, it's time for you to take your seat." The air grew tense, and I could sense Zeus's initial reluctance. However, Percy's determined gaze seemed to leave no room for refusal. As if compelled by an unseen force, Zeus grumbled and obeyed, settling back into his seat under Percy's unrelenting stare.
"Booooo!" the girl who flashed in said cheekily.
Percy's voice rang out, authoritative and full of conviction.
"Now that we've concluded the formalities and had Zeus's boring talk let's move on to the real proceedings." A wave of enthusiasm surged through the chamber, the council members rallying behind Percy's commanding presence. The cheers that erupted seemed to rattle Zeus, his scowl deepening in response to the shift in power dynamics. Percy signalled to the Revenant, a lineup of valiant warriors who had stood by him in the heat of battle. My admiration for them swelled as they lined up, their expressions a mix of anticipation and curiosity.
His first reward was for Calypso. A gesture of generosity and gratitude that underscored his compassionate nature.
"Calypso, you're a titaness, so I can't do much, but still, I bestow upon you a palace as vast and grand as your imagination desires, in a location of your choosing. A sanctuary to share with whomever you choose." The room buzzed with whispers and nods of approval, the significance of the gift evident to everyone present. Percy's actions were emblematic of his desire to provide those who had suffered with a chance at happiness. Then came the moment that held an air of defiance, as he turned to the rest of the Revenant.
"And to you, my fellow, loyal soldiers, I grant all of you the gift of immortality." They stood there, looking at him shocked.
"Wait," Zeus suddenly yelled. "Who gave you permission to do that-" His protests were met with a bored response.
"Zeus," the girl from before muttered. "I've given my permission. That's all that matters, isn't it?" Her laughter, like the tinkling of bells, followed, punctuating the declaration. Now, with a gentle but firm push, the girl who flashed in before the meeting guided Percy to the vacant throne. Her words held an air of finality.
"For the rest of you gods, I'm sorry but your rewards will be decided later, when I'm free or something, I don't know, maybe I'll just wait forever before giving them to you… Eh we'll see, Percy will probably talk me out of it. However, today, Percy Jackson, you are our focus."
As Percy settled onto the throne, the gravity of the moment seemed to resonate through the chamber. His valiant efforts had earned him this recognition. That same girl's demeanour seemed to shift from mischievous to sincere, finally offering him his gift.
"Percy, you're already very powerful, and already an immortal. However, still I give you the one thing no one can get. Along with being an Olympian, you get to join my pantheon." Percy was stunned.
"You… you mean…"
"Yep!" she smiled. "I've talked to my mother, and she agrees. You don't get new powers or anything, but you get respect from me, from my family, and from the world. If you ever need us, we will be here for you, and vice versa." He was speechless. I didn't know who this girl was, but whoever she is, her family must be a big thing for Percy to be shocked.
"I… Uh… Thank you so much!" She almost giggled at his response.
"It's nothing," she replied. "Besides, I just wanted to stick it to Zeus, which I did. Watch when he finds out who I am, or even better, who my parents are." She then turned to Ares and Aphrodite.
"One last thing," she said. "You too are going to be the trainers." Both had the same puzzled look.
"Training for what?" Ares grumbled. The girl almost had a twinkle in her eyes.
"Why, training Percy and Artemis's children, they're gonna need to be the best of the best isn't it?" I was blushing furiously now. I'd definitely not been expecting that…
The girl turned back to us.
"Happy dating Percy!" she yelled cheerfully. "But we both know what I really mean by that."
And then, like the darkness at dawn, she disappeared, flashing to whoever knows where.
Too tired for an Author's Note, sorryyyyyy, but I really hope you enjoyed this chapter, enjoyed some more Eris, and enjoyed the council meeting! This book's reaching an end soon :(