Ch.9

All rights belong to Riordan

As the car glided through the streets of Olympus, Percy found himself alternating between stealing glances at Artemis and softly playing with her hand while gazing out the window. Artemis, too, couldn't resist stealing glances, though she had seen the city enough times and wasn't paying much attention to the scenery.

As they approached the event, Hermes rolled down the window to address them. "Percy, Artemis, we're going to make a loop around. Lord Poseidon wants you two to be the last to arrive. The hero gods will go first, followed by the Olympians starting with Lord Zeus and Lady Hera, and then going down the line until you both make your entrance."

(Percy's Perspective)

We nodded as Hermes closed the window. Artemis turned to me with a sparkle of excitement and happiness in her eyes. "This is going to be so much fun," she exclaimed. I chuckled before agreeing.

"Yeah, it's going to be quite the experience. I wonder why my dad wants us to go last, though." Artemis pondered for a moment before responding, "Maybe he wants to give Apollo and Annabeth a taste of their own medicine for all the trouble they've caused."

I pondered her words, realizing she was likely correct. My father had always been fiercely protective of me, and given the trouble caused by Annabeth and now Apollo, this was exactly the kind of move he would make to assert his authority.

As we approached the main walkway into the building, I glanced out the window, noting our position at the beginning of the loop. "Looks like we're starting the loop," I remarked, prompting Artemis to join me in peering out the window.

"I can't wait to see Zoe's dress either. If it's anything like yours, it must be stunning," I remarked, a smile spreading across my face. Artemis returned the smile, her eyes reflecting genuine happiness.

"She looks absolutely amazing. No one will compare to her," Artemis declared proudly. Her words warmed my heart, reminding me of the strong bond she had formed with Zoe in such a short time.

I chuckled at the thought, feeling grateful that Artemis had embraced the maternal role she had longed for. It was a source of immense joy to see her so fulfilled in caring for Zoe.

As I reflected on the past few days, I couldn't help but notice the changes in the demeanor of the gods since my departure after the war. Hermes appeared more relaxed yet maintained his formal demeanor, suggesting a newfound sense of ease. Athena's unexpected approval of me was a pleasant surprise, something I never imagined possible.

Even Zeus seemed to have softened towards me, which was unusual given my relationship with his favorite daughter and the presence of our daughter, Zoe. I couldn't shake the feeling that Hera might have had a hand in this newfound tolerance. If I got the chance, I resolved to ask her about it later.

As we continued our loop around the city, I couldn't shake the overwhelming sense of gratitude for where I found myself. Having a beautiful daughter and an equally stunning woman by my side, who also happened to be the mother of my child, filled me with a profound sense of contentment. The realization that Artemis held affection for me, and the prospect of potentially spending eternity with her and Zoe, grew more appealing with each passing moment as we bonded further.

I pondered how to broach the topic of dating with Artemis, unsure of the best approach. However, considering the assurance from other gods that she harbored similar feelings, I decided there was no need to rush. After all, time was no longer a constraint for me, and I had all the time in the world to figure it out.

I snapped out of my reverie when Artemis noticed my distraction and gently rubbed my shoulder. Her concern was evident in her expression as she asked if I was okay. I returned her smile and nodded reassuringly. "I'm totally fine. Just thinking about the future with Zoe."

Her smile mirrored mine, but I could sense a hint of apprehension lingering behind it, likely sparked by the reminder of my mortality. Before she could dwell on it and probably enter a somber mood, I moved towards her quickly, pulling her close in a comforting embrace.

"I can tell what you're thinking, don't worry about it. Dad and I are figuring that out," I reassured her, feeling the tension ease from her shoulders. As Artemis nestled closer to me, her expression softened with relief. Her smile brightened, and she nodded, finding comfort in my words. Together, we watched the city lights pass by, enveloped in a comforting silence as we continued our loop.

At the venue, the gods had already begun disembarking from their vehicles, traversing the path leading to the grand entrance of the building. A designated area had been set up at the front door where they would wait for the arrival of each guest.

The hero gods had already completed their procession, now standing on one side of the front door, their presence a formidable sight. Across from them, the spot designated for the Olympians awaited their arrival, creating a visual symmetry that emphasized the importance of the gathering.

Zeus and Hera emerged first, exuding regal elegance in their matching white and purple attire. The sides of the walkway were lined with gates, teeming with minor gods, photographers, and curious onlookers eager to witness the arrival of the Olympians.

Following Zeus and Hera's majestic procession, Poseidon and his wife Amphitrite made their way down the walkway, their outfits reflecting the mesmerizing hues of the sea. Ares and Aphrodite followed suit, their vibrant red and pink attire drawing attention with every step. Hermes and Calypso joined the procession, their attire in shades of grey and teal, adding to the colorful spectacle of the evening.

Poseidon was confused as he thought Hermes was driving Artemis and Percy until Hermes winked at him, causing his eyes to widen before he smiled, realizing what Hermes had done.

Dionysis went last with Ariadne, finishing off the couples. The solo Olympians then began their walk. Demeter stepped forward gracefully, emanating an aura of earthy elegance in her forest green dress. Hephasteus followed, defying expectations with his polished appearance in a solid grey outfit, prompting surprised whispers among the watching gods. Apollo's entrance dazzled with his vibrant golden yellow attire, momentarily blinding some onlookers with its radiance. Finally, Athena completed the procession with her regal presence, adorned in a harmonious blend of blue and grey, exuding an air of wisdom and strength.

(Zoe's Perspective)

All the gods looked absolutely stunning! However, I couldn't help but feel confused when Mom and Dad didn't appear during the couples' procession. The absence caused me some concern and fear until I glanced over at Grandpa Poseidon, who caught my worried expression and gave me a reassuring wink before turning his attention back to the road ahead.

"Where is Lady Artemis?" Jason asked, his brow furrowed with concern. "I'm not sure, I would have thought she would have arrived after Apollo," Piper replied, scanning the area. As we looked around, Reyna was the first to spot the silver car approaching the venue.

"I assume that's her, based on the color of the car," Reyna stated, pointing towards the vehicle. "Yeah, that's the car Aphrodite pointed out to us before she dropped me off with you guys. But I wonder why she's so late," I said, feeling puzzled.

We watched in confusion as Hermes stepped out of the driver's seat. Our confusion only deepened as he winked at us and made a shushing gesture from where he sat with the other gods and Calypso. We turned back to the car as he walked to the back door, opened it, and stepped aside.

"Why would Lord Hermes personally drive Lady Artemis?" Jason questioned, his perplexity evident in his tone. "Beats me," Frank replied with a shrug of his shoulders.

(Percy's Perspective)

As we finally came to a stop, we peered out the window at the gathered gods and onlookers beyond the barriers. "Wow, that's a huge crowd," I remarked, surprised by the turnout.

Artemis nodded, equally taken aback by the sight of so many people assembled to witness their arrival. Hermes opened the door and gestured for us to step out. "Percy, Artemis, feel free to exit the vehicle. We have arrived," he announced.

I glanced at Artemis, who gave me a reassuring nod before gently urging me towards the door. Stepping out of the vehicle, I straightened to my full height, and a collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

Feeling a bit unsettled by the reaction, I shifted to the side and extended my hand. Artemis took it, gracefully stepping out of the car and joining me by my side.

As everyone's eyes widened in surprise, clearly not expecting Lady Artemis to arrive with a date, let alone a demigod, I leaned close to Artemis. Gently brushing her ear with my nose, I whispered, "We're definitely going to hear about this later." She blushed before smiling and turning her head so I ended up nuzzling into her hair.

I chuckled before pulling away, and together, we began the walk down the walkway, cameras flashing all around us. With each step, I could feel the weight of everyone's attention focused on us, their curiosity evident as they tried to discern the nature of our relationship.

As we reached the gathering of gods, most of them wore vibrant smiles, their expressions filled with curiosity and excitement. Hephastus, however, wore a softer smile, while Dionysus seemed preoccupied, engaged in conversation with a woman I assumed to be Ariadne. And, as expected, Apollo's glare bore into me, but I chose to ignore it, focusing instead on the welcoming faces surrounding us.

Turning to glance at the hero gods, I noticed expressions ranging from shock to excitement, particularly Zoe, who was practically beaming with joy. My gaze then shifted to Annabeth, whose expression remained unreadable. However, after years of knowing her, I could decipher the subtle mix of emotions playing across her face: anger, disbelief, and a hint of sadness.

As an idea struck me, I returned my attention to Artemis. Swiftly, I kissed the top of her head, causing audible gasps from the demigods.

Artemis looked up at me, clearly surprised, but she smiled brightly nonetheless. We turned to the gods, who watched us with a mix of shock and happiness. "Are we ready to go?" I asked.

Dad broke out of his shock first, laughing before nodding. "Lord Zeus, would you lead us in?" he asked formally.

Zeus broke out of his shock before regaining his composure and taking back control. "Let us go," he declared, leading us in a direction away from where the hero gods were directed to go. When we arrived at our spot, I realized we were in a separate area of the theater.

We were above where the rest of the people were sitting, but we had our own individual rooms for viewing with our names on the doors. The gods dispersed into their rooms, with my dad hanging back. He walked over to us before speaking quietly.

"The rooms are soundproof, so don't worry about distracting people if you wish to talk or laugh. That was quite a show you guys put on upon arrival though, but please behave yourselves here, as Zeus would murder you if you didn't. He takes these events very seriously."

Artemis and I both playfully glared at my dad for what he was insinuating, but we nodded before heading into our room.

Inside, it reminded me of a condo, but instead of a high-rise window, there was a window for us to view the movie. We moved the couch to the window before slipping our shoes off and settling on the couch, stretching out as far as we could.

(Outside View)

As Percy and Artemis lounged on the couch, engrossed in the movie, they failed to notice the door of their room creaking open slightly. An intruder slipped inside, moving stealthily towards the couch. With a light touch, they pressed a small circular button on the back of the couch before retreating silently to the door, slipping back out and closing it behind them.

As Percy started to get a cold feeling around him, he couldn't shake the sense of familiarity. It nagged at him, but he couldn't quite place it. Meanwhile, Artemis was completely absorbed in the movie, oblivious to anything out of the ordinary.

Percy's senses sharpened as he recognized the ominous sensation creeping around him. Suddenly, he remembered—the distinct chill of Greek fire. Reacting swiftly, he pushed Artemis away with all his strength, propelling her to safety just moments before the couch erupted into flames. The force of the explosion sent Percy hurtling through the shattered window, plummeting down to the ground below in a chaotic whirl of flames and debris.

Artemis's heart pounded with panic as she saw Percy propelled through the shattered window. Ignoring her initial anger at being pushed, she realized the urgency of the situation. With flames licking at the room around her, she swiftly grabbed her shoes and dashed towards the door, her mind focused on reaching Percy and ensuring his safety.

Throwing the door open, Artemis rushed out before shutting it behind her, immediately overcome by a fit of coughing as smoke billowed around her. Sensing the explosion, the other gods quickly emerged from their rooms, alarmed by the sudden disturbance. Poseidon, his concern evident, sprinted over to Artemis's side as she struggled to catch her breath amidst the chaos.

Poseidon's voice trembled with concern as he pressed Artemis for answers. "Artemis, my dear, what happened to Percy? Where is he?" he implored urgently, his heart pounding with fear. Artemis struggled to compose herself through tears, her voice choked with emotion as she recounted the terrifying ordeal. "He... he saved me," she managed to say between sobs, "He threw me aside when the couch exploded, but then... he was thrown out of the window..." Her words trailed off, her anguish evident in every trembling breath.

As Artemis's account echoed through the room, the other gods listened in shock and horror. Poseidon's eyes widened with a mixture of disbelief and determination as he processed the news. Without a moment's hesitation, he bolted down the hallway, his heart racing with urgency, fueled by fear for his son, and pure rage at the assaliant.

The hero gods were engrossed in the movie when a deafening crash shattered the atmosphere, jolting them to their feet in alarm. Their eyes shot upward, following the trajectory of the body hurtling through one of the private viewing room windows, crashing onto the ground below.

"What in Hades was that?!" Jason's voice rang out, filled with a mixture of shock and concern, as he bolted towards the fallen figure. The others swiftly joined him, their hearts pounding with apprehension, only to come to a sudden halt as they recognized the fallen individual.

"Dad?!" Zoe's anguished cry pierced the air, her voice trembling with fear and disbelief as she gazed upon the figure lying before her.