Ch.15
The hero gods sat stunned, not sure how to process the fact the friend they thought was dead was actually alive. They glanced around at the other gods, being even more surprised at the looks of pride on their faces, even from gods they didn't know liked Percy.
At that moment all hell broke loose as the hero gods broke out into shouts of confusion, all throwing questions out. Percy sat listening to it for a few minutes before he got annoyed and slammed his trident into the ground and shouted, "Enough!"
The hero gods immediately shut up before looking at him wide eyed. Artemis, seeing the look on Percy's face and not liking his tone, reached over and gently put her hand on his. He turned to look at her for a few seconds before he calmed down and turned back to the hero gods.
"Sorry about that," he replied warmly. "Now, can we discuss this without shouting over each other?"he asked. They nodded their heads, to which he laughed. 'Great, now, who wants to go first."
Every hand shot up as the gods chuckled. Percy grinned before saying, "Alright, Pipes, you go first." Piper looked pleased to be picked and asked, "How are you alive?" Percy smiled before replying, "I had help from a primordial."
They looked shocked before Piper stepped back. As their hands went up again, Percy sighed before continuing, "This is gonna take forever, just ask one at a time." Jason stepped up next and asked, "How are you a god, Perce?"
Percy grinned before replying, "The primordial that saved me also made a god to ensure I was here for Zoe's eventual ascension, as he is quite fond of her." Jason nodded before stepping back, and Hazel took his place.
"So, Zoe will become an immortal as well?" Percy nodded before responding, "Yes, when she turns 18, she will become a goddess." Hazel nodded before stepping back.
"Are you gonna visit our home in New Rome more often now? You have a room after all," Frank said. Percy looked confused before replying, "I do?" The group facepalmed before Jason explained, "Yes, you do. All the members of the Seven have one, although your room seemed to have changed a bit when Zoe was in it. We figured it was because she's your daughter, but we don't know for sure." Percy looked even more confused and turned to Hephaestus, who appeared thoughtful. "I suppose it's possible. The room is enchanted to adjust to Percy, so it makes sense it would serve Percy's daughter as well," he replied.
"Well, either way, I'm sure Zoe would be happy to have another place to stay, if you guys wouldn't mind that?" Percy asked, looking back at the hero gods. They glanced at each other before nodding. "We don't mind that at all, Percy," Piper replied warmly.
Percy smiled and nodded before turning to Artemis, who was smiling warmly at him. "Then I'll drop her off after the meeting. Lord Zeus, is there anything else?" he asked, turning to the king of the gods.
Zeus shook his head before replying, "That's everything. But let me be clear. If anyone tries something like Leo did again towards an Olympian, there will be severe consequences." The hero gods nodded in response, and Zeus flashed out of the throne room. As the gods vacated the room, Annabeth made her way over to Artemis, who was too busy staring at Percy to notice her approach.
"My lady?" she said softly as she reached her. Artemis broke out of her reverie and looked at Annabeth. "Yes, Annabeth?" she asked, slightly confused. "Lord Zeus said I had to do whatever you wanted me to until you were satisfied. What do you require of me?" she asked tensely, bracing for some harsh treatment.
Artemis's gaze softened before she replied, "When I need you, I will call for you. For now, go be with your friends." Annabeth looked surprised but nodded before walking back to where the hero gods were chatting with Percy and Zoe.
"Yes, Pipes, I will make sure to visit often," Percy said, laughing as the group pestered him to visit more. Piper smiled triumphantly before nodding and flashing away, quickly followed by Jason. Frank and Hazel both smiled before leaving as well, leaving Percy and Zoe with the approaching Annabeth.
"Zoe, go to your mother," Percy said softly. Zoe nodded before running towards Artemis, who was talking with the hunters and Reyna. As Annabeth reached him, she immediately started apologizing. "I'm so sorry, Percy. I didn't know..." She didn't finish as Percy pulled her into a hug.
"It's fine, Annie. Leo is gone for now, and I'm a god, so it worked out in the end," she nodded into his chest before he pulled away. "We can talk later. For now, I have a daughter to get situated in a home."
Annabeth nodded before stepping back and flashing away. Percy sighed softly before walking over to the hunters. As he reached them, he said, "Alright ladies, time to go home." The girls nodded at him, and Artemis flashed them away, back to her residence.
Once they arrived, the hunters made a beeline for the kitchen while Zoe turned to look at Percy. "So I can pack my things to go to Rome?" Percy smiled and nodded, to which Zoe grinned and sprinted away, leaving Reyna with Artemis and Percy.
"What are you gonna do, Rey?" Percy asked. Reyna looked thoughtful before she replied, "I think I'm gonna train for a while." Percy grinned before he replied, "Alright, fair enough. Don't break Artemis's home."
Reyna glared at him playfully before walking off towards the training range. Percy smiled as he watched her go before turning to Artemis. "Arty, what do you want to do?" Artemis looked thoughtful before replying, "I'm not sure. Most of our time is spent watching over the hunt or Zoe, so I don't do other things too often."
Percy laughed before responding, "Well, it's as good a time as any. Besides, Zoe will be busy packing for a while. She'll finish and want food, then get distracted with the hunters." Artemis laughed as well before saying, "I swear she gets that from you." Percy grinned before replying, "Yeah, probably."
Artemis grinned as she leaned into him. Percy happily pulled her in and whispered in her ear, "You know, my room in New Rome has what looked like a hot tub. Some relaxation would be nice."
Artemis grinned before teasingly replying, "Are you sure you just aren't trying to get me in a bathing suit?"
Percy laughed before responding, "You'll never know. Is that a yes?" Artemis smiled before replying, "Sure. Some downtime would be nice."
Percy nodded before flashing them both away to New Rome. When they arrived in his room, or what he assumed was his room, he made a beeline for the hot tub. Realizing it served as both a hot tub and mini pool, he turned back to Artemis to ask which she wanted when he froze.
While he was distracted, gazing at the pool, he hadn't noticed that she had changed into a silver bikini. He sat there wide-eyed at her until she walked over and whispered, "Are you gonna stare the whole time or are you gonna join me in the hot tub?" He shook himself out of his shock as she walked past him into the hot tub. He quickly flashed his swimsuit on before joining her.
As they settled into the water, Percy couldn't help but sigh contently at the warm feeling of the water on his body. Artemis walked over from her side before settling down in front of him as they slowly drifted around the hot tub.
"Zoe will definitely like it here," Percy remarked. Artemis nodded as she looked around the room. It felt like a perfect mix of her and Percy, which she figured would be comforting for Zoe. "Plus, I'm sure having your friends around will be good for her as well," Artemis responded.
Percy nodded as he turned back to look at her. Pulling her closer, he rested his chin on her head as she rested her head on his chest. "It's gonna feel weird calling Zoe my daughter when she comes back," Percy remarked while laughing softly.
"Yeah, it definitely will be, but between you or Atlas, I think I know which father she'd prefer," Artemis replied.
Percy nodded as they continued to slowly drift around the hot tub. While they were enjoying the hot tub, the bedroom door opened, and Piper walked in with a pile of blankets obscuring her view. They turned to watch her as she walked over to the bed and put the blankets down before turning around and freezing when she noticed the pair.
"Oh, uh, hi guys?" She said, unsure if she interrupted something. Percy grinned before he replied,"Hey Pipes. Got enough blankets there?" Artemis laughed as Piper smiled sheepishly. "Zoe likes blankets, so I thought I'd bring her more," she explained.
"Well, I'm sure she will appreciate it," Artemis responded. Piper nodded before she headed towards the door. "Well, you guys have fun, I'm gonna make sure the other idiots don't burn the food in the kitchen," she said as she reached the door. Percy nodded while Artemis waved goodbye as Piper left and closed the door behind her.
"Now, where were we?" Percy said warmly as he turned back to Artemis. "I believe we were enjoying the privacy of your room," she replied teasingly before she turned around to lean against him as they floated. A while later, they got out to retrieve Zoe from Artemis's home.
When they arrived, they found the living room in complete disarray. The couches were overturned, and chairs were spread out around the room. They looked around in shock before Percy felt something coming and pulled Artemis to the floor as small objects flew over their heads.
At that moment, the hunters popped up from behind the couches with what Percy realized were Nerf guns. "Percy, Artemis, you're in the line of fire!" Thalia yelled. Percy went wide-eyed before jumping up and pulling Artemis with him as they ran and vaulted over a couch as bullets started flying through the air.
"Did you seriously turn my living room into a Nerf war zone?!" Artemis said in disbelief. "We were bored," Thalia responded enthusiastically. Percy cracked up laughing before summoning Nerf guns for him and Artemis.
"Well, might as well join in on the fun," he replied, grinning. Artemis rolled her eyes as the hunter around them cheered. Percy laughed before peeking over the top of the couch and started firing at the hunters who were hiding behind the kitchen counter.
The hunters returned fire as Percy ducked back down. "Thalia, where's Zoe?" Artemis asked. "I'm not sure my lady, we saw her run a bit ago when she came for food but I haven't seen her since."
Percy and Artemis looked at each other in concern before they both vanished from the living room. Appearing outside Zoe's room, they knocked on her door gently. When they didn't get a response, they opened the door and peeked in.
Not finding her in her room, Artemis started to worry. "Where could she be?" she asked. Percy shrugged before he replied, "I'm not sure, but we didn't see Reyna in the living room. Maybe she's with her?" Artemis nodded slowly while Percy led the way to Reyna's room.
He once again knocked on the door and cracked the door when he didn't get a response. She wasn't in her room, but Percy noticed her gear wasn't there either. "Her armor and weapons are gone. Let's check the training room," Percy said.
Artemis nodded as the two headed to the training room before they pushed the doors open and walked inside. They let out a sigh of relief as they saw Reyna sparring with Zoe. Reyna was using her golden gladius while Zoe was using Riptide.
They watched while Reyna walked around Zoe, nudging her body around to correct her form and stance.
"For the most part, your stance and form are near perfect, but that's to be expected with your father as the best swordsman we've ever seen," Reyna commented warmly. Percy grinned at the compliment and turned to Artemis, looking proud of himself. She smiled and rolled her eyes at him as they continued to watch Reyna teach Zoe.
"You know, I didn't know you thought so highly of me, Reyna," Percy called out teasingly. Reyna turned around in surprise before playfully glaring at him. "Don't let it get to your head, Percy," she replied.
Percy grinned before he replied, "I'm a god, that's kinda part of the job." Reyna raised an eyebrow before she responded, "Do I need to kick your ass to make sure it doesn't happen?"
Zoe went wide-eyed as she turned back between the two. "Nah, I have no interest in getting my ass beat," Percy replied laughing. Reyna smirked before she replied, "Good. I'm glad you agree."
Percy flashed her one of his signature smiles before turning to Artemis, who had a look of exasperation on her face. "How are you gonna let her call you the best swordsman but then back down from a challenge?" she asked.
Percy grinned before looking back at Reyna. "Because I may be the best swordsman, but she's the best swordswoman I've ever met, and I'm perfectly content not knowing who's better." Artemis looked surprised but nodded while Reyna just had a mixed look of embarrassment and pride on her face.
"My money's on Reyna," Zoe interjected. Reyna looked at her in surprise while Percy and Artemis laughed. "Honestly, so is mine," Percy replied. Reyna looked even more shocked, causing Percy to fall over laughing.
"Well, I appreciate the note of confidence Percy," Reyna replied. Percy nodded before turning to Zoe. "Did you pack your things for Rome?" he asked. Zoe nodded eagerly before pointing to a big silver duffle bag by the door.
Percy smiled as he walked over and picked up the duffle bag, slinging it over his shoulder. "Rey, are you coming to Rome with us?" he asked, turning to her. Reyna nodded before she replied, "Yes, I am."
Percy nodded before walking back to Artemis. He pulled her in and kissed her softly before turning to Zoe. "Alright Zoe, let's go." Zoe nodded and capped Riptide before running over. Artemis held her hand out, which Zoe grasped before they vanished from the room.
When they appeared, they were in the sitting area of the house. A moment later Reyna joined them. Percy looked around surprised as he said, "Damn. You guys got a nice place." Reyna smiled as she replied, 'You can thank Hephaestus and Leo for that."
Percy nodded as he turned around, feeling the arrival of the other hero gods. Zoe immediately made a beeline for Piper, which was surprising to Percy but he didn't think much of it.
"Hey Percy, Lady Artemis," Jason said in greeting. Percy smiled while Artemis nodded her head in greeting. "Are you guys sure it's not a bother if Zoe stays here?" Artemis asked, turning to Piper and Hazel. They shook their heads immediately as Hazel replied,"Of course not my lady. We all adore Zoe, she's always welcome here."
Piper nodded her head in agreement as Artemis smiled warmly. "Alright then. Zoe, here's your bag," Percy said as Zoe came running over for her bag before taking off to the staircase. The others watched in amusement before Percy turned to Jason. "So, wanna show us around?"
Jason grinned before nodding and leading the way towards where Zoe disappeared up the staircase. As they explored the rooms, Percy couldn't help but notice how grand his bedroom was compared to theirs. They didn't seem to mind, but it still bothered him slightly.
When they arrived at his room, or Zoe's room really, they couldn't help but laugh at the fact that Zoe had somehow created a blanket fort while they were exploring. She poked her head out grinning before saying, "Piper gave me extra blankets, so I thought I would put them to use."
The group laughed as Zoe disappeared into the fort again. Percy walked over before getting down on her level and going inside the fort, quickly followed by Artemis. Inside, Zoe had put pillows in a circle and was sitting on one while watching tv.
Percy laughed before waving his hand, making more blankets and pillows appear as the fort magically expanded to fit the whole group. Percy and Artemis took two seats next to each other and Zoe as the other hero gods made their way in.
"I would like to suggest that this be our new meeting room," Frank said laughing. Zoe nodded her head in agreement as Jason replied, "I second that motion." The group laughed as they settled into seats, watching the TV that Zoe had somehow set up.
"I think this calls for a movie night," Percy said. The group voiced their agreement as Zoe went to Netflix while Percy and Artemis summoned snacks and drinks for the group as well as blankets. After settling on Pacific Rim, they settled in for the evening