Ch29

Alabaster had never been to Olympus but had to admit the beauty of the place struck him as they entered the throne room where they found a group of familiar people. Clarisse, Thalia, Annabeth, a new girl, and surprisingly his sister.

"Hey Al!" Lou said with a calm wave. She then ran over to him and hugged him tightly. "I'm glad your safe!"

"Lou!" he looked at her and then at a large manatee like creature in the corner. "What's going on?"

Lou smiled. "I decided to go on a quest myself." Her voice was calm yet carried a bit of pride in it.

Yet his own gaze was on his mother. She and Nemesis were seated on lesser thrones made of Silver by the sides of Hera while Nemesis who took the form of a Christian Karen had a neutral expression on her face. I don't know if I should take this as an insult or see it as some progress.

His mother smiled at him and waved so he decided on the latter. Ethan looked up at his mother his eyes betraying hope yet she did not appear to give him much thought. Meanwhile Poseidon sat down and looked at Percy with a calm gaze.

"Artemis please have a seat so we can begin," Zeus said firmly. "Two sets of demigods have left on their quests, we shall now hear their stories. Those that went west shall go first."

Clarisse stepped forward, for once the arrogance in her eyes was gone and her posture was rigid as her father stared at her. "Lord Zeus our quest was completed, we saved Lady Artemis and fought Luke son of Hermes."

With that she recounted her quest with the hunters as they went to save Annabeth, how they fought through various enemies and fought Luke who tried to use the guts of the sea monster in the corner to make Thalia strong enough to take down the gods.

Once Clarisse was done Hera turned to their group. "Now let us hear from these demigods and about their adventures below the ground."

Percy stepped forward and with determination in his eyes talked of their quest. Of all their adventures in the labyrinth until they found the entrance to camp and took Chris Rodriguez prisoner. At the mention of the son of Hermes he noticed Clarisse's eyes widen. "We did our quest," Percy said firmly. "Luke has his agents down there in the labyrinth, if they can maneuver down there it is possible they could sneak in and plan an invasion of some kind."

The son of Poseidon paused and turned to him and Grover. "We also figured out the situation of Pan."

"Yes what of him?" Apollo asked.

Grover's gaze drifted to the ground. "H-He proclaimed mee his heir and…" The satyr looked at him and he got the message.

"My mother has decided to help him remain in some form," he said as he took out his card. Mist formed in the room and Pan appeared in front of them.

There was a collective gasp from the gods. Unlike the last time they saw Pan this one was in a younger state and had a cocky smile with large defined muscles. "Hey y'all miss me?" Pan asked with a grin.

"Pan!" Artemis nearly stood up. "But how? For ages no one could find him!"

Pan sighed. "Well the thing is I started to fade like all minor gods do when their domains are gone. But Lady Hecate has give me a new lease on life!" He flexed his muscles. "Now I'm going to kick some ass!"

"Same old Pan," Dionysus muttered.

Hecate nodded. "I preserved his spirit in the form of the mist. He shall be of service to my son."

Zeus raised his eyebrows. "And who is he in service to?":

The atmosphere tensed as his mother smiled. "His family of course and his family is my family."

Hera cleared her throat. "Dear husband Hecate has been of great help to us. We shouldn't neglect her needs along with others."

The gods murmured among themselves only to be silenced by Zeus who appeared half irritated. "Now is not the time for this. We have heard their stories now for the vote."

He frowned yet to his surprise he noticed Hera and a few other gods looked displeased as well.

"Father I have a request," Artemis said as Zeus turned to her. "Allow me to take in Thalia Grace as a lieutenant, that way she can serve me."

Zeus raised an eyebrow. "Thalia is that you want?"

Thalia stepped forward and nodded. "I'll accept it, that way I never age and the prophecy will no longer have anything to do with me."

"Very well," Artemis said. "Then repeat after me Thalia Grace."

With that Thalia repeated an oath to swear off men and pledged her loyalty to the hunt. A silver glow enveloped her and with that she was a Hunter of Artemis.

Zeus then adjusted himself in his seat and looked down at Percy with his stormy eyes. "Now I believe we have some other matters to deal with. Percy Jackson you and the Ophiotauraus are too strong too live I suggest we vote on whether to keep them alive or kill you both."

There was a chatter among the gods. "But I'm not fighting against the gods," Percy said. "Besides I'm not even 16 yet."

"Yet you can still be tempted by Kronos," Athena said. "Having you around is a liability."

Poseidon cleared his throat. "You shall not kill my son and neither shall you kill a creature of the sea."

"I agree. So far Percy Jackson has not shown any signs of disloyalty," Artemis said.

He looked up at his mother who remained calm while the other gods disputed amongst each other. "Enough!" Zeus barked. "We shall put it to a vote."

Thankfully the gods voted to spare Percy and that manatee creature. "Well then I say we celebrate," Hera said clapping her hands. "To the accomplishments of all these heroes."

With that they were led to a large room full of drinks and foods. "Well I guess this is an Olympian party," he muttered as he went to grab some refreshments.

"You did well Alabaster."

Turning around he saw his mother with a pleasing smile. He bowed to her. "Anything for your glory."

Hecate sighed. "It may have been a temporary seat for now but to be honest I don't care for Olympian politics. Every placed its benefits."

His posture turned rigid. "They will recognize you more. I swear one day you'll get a throne just like the other gods."

His mother smiled at him. "Your efforts don't go unnoticed. You along with Nemesis' child and Percy Jackson have a lot. You've made me proud, you really are the most promising of my children."

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Percy speaking with his father and Ethan with his own mother. Swallowing the lump in his throat he bowed. "Thank you mother. I'd do anything for you."

His mother smiled at him. "You make me proud Alabaster but don't forget about yourself."

He shifted under her gaze. "What do you mean?"

"I want you to have your own life too and to be happy," Hecate said calmly. "You should live as much of a normal life as you can."

He avoided her gaze. His heart saw the truth in her words yet he couldn't bring himself to admit it. "I'm devoted to you."

Hecate smiled. "I know. That is why I want you to be happy. Perhaps you could go to a mortal school?"

He frowned. "Really? Percy has nothing good to say about those places. Besides why can't I just wait till I go to college and go to the school you founded in Salem?"

His mother patted him on the shoulder. "You deserve happiness and peace Alabaster."

Looking to the ground he slowly nodded. "I'll try to."

He looked around the halls of Olympus when he noticed Hera approach him. He quickly bowed. "Lady Hera."

The Queen of Olympus smiled. "You did well young demigod."

"It was nothing," he said politely. The Queen of Olympus looked him over with a calculating gaze.

Hera smiled. "You've made your mother proud. I look forward to the day when she has her seat and her own voice."

It took all his will power to not show emotion. "As do I Lady Hera." Calm down Olympian politics are notoriously two faced.

Hera smiled. "Olympus is a big family and all must do their part." With that she turned around leaving him alone.

Clarisse awkwardly bowed. "Father."

Ares laughed and patted her shoulder making her wince. "You did well kid. Made me proud."

She fought the urge to tear up. "I-I won't let you down. Th-The world will know your strenght."

Her father chuckled. "Keep at it kid." With that he turned around and left.

She breathed an internal sigh of relief. I'll make you more proud of me I swear.

Annabeth came up to her side. "He seemed to be in a good mood."

"Yeah." She didn't know what else to say, her relationship with her father was always complicated but at least she made him proud.

Looking at Annabeth she noticed her looking at Percy, Ethan, and Alabaster with a frown on her face. The three boys were chatting and having a good time but the way Annabeth looked at them it was as if they were being crass at an event they weren't invited to.

"Calm down they did their quest and we did ours," She said.

"I guess," Annabeth muttered.

Thalia came up to them. "Hey are you guys going back to camp soon? I was told to pick up Bianca."

"Yeah lets go," she said grabbing Annabeth whose frown had not moved from the three boys.

She really needs to get her thoughts and feelings organized when it comes to them.

Bianca and Lou were chatting as they walked to them. Bianca's face was neutral yet she could see unease in her eyes. "You two ok?" she asked.

"Y-Yeah we were just talking," Bianca said. "My brother…I know he's out there somewhere. I know it, I'll find him and bring him back to camp."

"Don't worry we'll find him," Lou said calmly. "My mother will show the way."

She noticed Annabeth roll her eyes and she really wanted to remind her that Hecate was present. Now really isn't the time for this. It may have been the quest but she realized herself that Lou and her siblings had great potential and if there was going to be a war she'd rather have the Hecate Cabin as an ally than an enemy.

"Anyway we'll keep in touch," Bianca said.

Annabeth nodded. "We'll let you know if we hear anything about him."

"Come on my mom might have some advice," Lou said as she led Bianca towards Hecate.

"Your father seemed ok," Annabeth said as they walked through the crowd of gods.

She looked down and nodded. "Yeah I feel like I'm making him proud." Ares wasn't the easiest god to please, especially being his daughter.

"You'll do fine," Annabeth said. She then looked to the ground. "My father… Did he really help you guys?"

"He did." She looked Annabeth in the eyes. "Thalia led us to his house and he helped us without question."

The music blared as people began to dance. "Well he seemed different," Annabeth said. "I don't know if I'm ready to open to him yet."

"Do it when you feel ready," She said calmly. "Want to dance or something?"

Annabeth's gaze drifted around the dance hall before hardening as she watched both Alabaseter and Lou Ellen dance with Percy Jackson. "Stupid extras."

She froze as she felt Nemesis look their way, the goddess' gaze was calm but she was no fool. The hairs on her neck stood up as Nemesis' gaze hardened. Her heart raced, for a moment she feared the worst, minor gods were still gods and offending them was not smart. Yet Nemesis only turned away and spoke to her son who looked a little nervous.

"Hey enough," she lightly hit Annabeth's shoulder. "Lou contributed a lot to this quest. You should really give them a chance"

Annabeth avoided her gaze and paused. "What happened to Bianca's brother?"

She frowned. It really bothers you that he pays attention to them. Pride was a dangerous sentiment, especially in war. Of course most people didn't pay attention to the children of Hecate or any minor god but Lou had just proven that she was just as capable as everyone else.

"We didn't find him," she said simply. "The enemy must still have him somewhere." Her gaze darted around the room. Hecate and Nemesis were enjoying a conversation with Hera but that did not put her nerves at ease. "Come on lets enjoy our time here."

Annabeth nodded and reluctantly followed her but her gaze seemed to be on Percy Jackson the entire time as he danced with Lou Ellen.