Chapter 2: Rewards and the First Betrayal
Three weeks. That's how long I floated in a void between consciousness and oblivion. I awoke with a jolt, my senses bombarded by unfamiliar sounds and an overwhelming brightness. As my bleary eyes adjusted, I squinted against the shimmering golden light that filled the expansive room. It took me a moment to grasp my surroundings: I was in Apollo's palace, a celestial structure that looked as if it were carved from the very sun itself.
"Ah, you're finally awake, Percy!" A familiar voice broke through the haze. Apollo, the sun god and his ever-dramatic patron, stood gleaming beside a massive fountain that spilled molten sunlight, his golden hair cascading like rays around his face.
"W-what happened?" I croaked, my throat dry and scratchy. I rubbed his eyes, disbelief flooding through me as I remembered the chaotic battle—monsters, giants, Gaia, and the fierce camaraderie of me and my friends in the aftermath of the second Giant War. "How long have I been out?"
"Three weeks, actually," Apollo shrugged nonchalantly, though a hint of concern shadowed his bright demeanor. "You took quite a beating, Percy. But worry not; the medics have worked wonders! Still, I must say, no one can resist a grand finale quite like you."
I sat up, finally taking in the delicate frescoes that adorned the walls, depicting heroic feats and the light of the sun. "Everyone… everyone else is okay, right?" I felt a gnawing anxiety in my gut, hoping that none of them had been hurt in the battle.
"Ah, yes!" Apollo waved his hand dismissively. "They've all been busy, of course, with the celebrations and the reward ceremony that has been put off until you woke. You know how it is—without a hero to celebrate, it's just less… gratifying!" He beamed, pointing to the door. "Shall we? They've been waiting for you like a pack of hungry wolves."
I finally stood, a rush of relief washing over me at the news of my friends. I took a deep breath, my heart quickening with anticipation at seeing my Wise Girl after 3 weeks. "Let's go!"
With Apollo leading the way, we traversed through the streets of Olympus, as flashing would strain my body too much, apparently. Sunlight streamed through the clouds, casting beams onto the streets, and I felt a sense of awe at the beauty around him.
Annabeth did an amazing job, I thought
As they approached the throne room, he could hear laughter and cheers. The palace doors swung open, revealing a magnificent sight. The hall was filled with familiar faces: Annabeth, Grover, Leo, Piper, the rest of the seven, along with all demigods from both camps, all standing in the center of the throne room acting like one big family.
"Percy!" The voice reached me like an echo through water. Annabeth rushed to my side, her hair shimmering like spun gold and her eyes reflecting a stormy sea. Relief washed over me at the sight of her, but as she enveloped me in a tight embrace, I recalled the last moments before my world faded to darkness.
"Are you okay?" she asked, pulling back to examine my face, her fingers tracing the bruises on my cheek.
"I feel like I've been hit by a bus," I replied with a shaky smile. "But I'm alive... I think we won."
"YOU did," said a voice resonating from above. Zeus descended from his throne, his presence commanding yet somehow reassuring. "You faced Gaia and protected our realm, Percy Jackson. For your bravery, we gather here to celebrate and grant you your reward."
I took in the gods and demigods surrounding me. I had saved Olympus countless times, yet this moment felt different, heavier. I could see the shadows cast by the victories we won, but even in the radiant halls of Olympus, they loomed like specters.
One by one, my friends were honored. I heard the cheers for my comrades, each receiving accolades and promises of dedication from the gods. It felt good, but in that moment, a nagging feeling festered in the back of my mind.
Then came the moment I dreaded: Zeus's powerful gaze turned toward Annabeth. "Athena wishes to offer you something great, daughter of wisdom. You have proven yourself to be worthy, leading this battle with courage and intellect. I offer you the chance to ascend—a goddess among mortals, a stalwart protector of Olympus."
"I accept," she said.
"Daughter, what about Percy," Athena inquired.
"I want to protect my future," she finally said, her voice resolute. "I want to finally achieve my dream of becoming an architect. But mostly, I don't want to wait for weeks on end because he risked his life. I hate not knowing if he's going to wake up or not, and now I'll never have to worry about that again."
My heart dropped as if someone pulled the ground from beneath me. The weight of her decision crushed my chest, and I could only watch in stunned silence as she approached Athena. Annabeth's silhouette in that moment became the ultimate betrayal.
"What?" I finally spoke, not caring how broken sounding I was. "Annabeth, what about us? I thought you wanted to be with me!"
She turned to face me, powerful yet vulnerable. "Percy, I have to. I can't keep fighting. I can't keep worrying that every day could be our last. If I can what's precious to me, I'll do it."
"Protect what's precious to you?" I rasped, feeling like the betrayal was a knife twisting in my gut. "I thought that I was precious to you!"
But the words fell flat. The gods around us looked at me with sorrow and pity as Annabeth glowed in a golden light, ascending to godhood. With a flash of ethereal light, she transformed into a figure of grace and power, a new goddess, sweetly offering a bittersweet smile back at me before she was pulled into the ranks of immortals.
"Now, Percy Jackson," Zeus boomed, shifting his attention with an air of command, "you are also due a reward for your valiant effort. Would you accept the offer of godhood? You could dwell amongst the divine, wield power beyond imagination. You will also be made an Olympian."
"No," I replied firmly, the words flowing from me like a sudden spring. "You don't get it. I don't want that. I—"
"You wish to remain mortal?" he interrupted, unsurprised.
"I want to live," I said, feeling the weight of the god's anticipation. "I want to live my life with my friends and family. I want..." I hesitated, looking at the spot Annabeth had just vacated. "I want to make my own choices. But, if it's possible, I have a different proposal."
A hush fell over the crowd. I swallowed hard.
"Instead of me becoming a god, I want to restore Hestia and Hades to the council. They deserve to be honored among their kin. They've sacrificed so much, and their wisdom could bring us to an era of peace."
Zeus, surprised, regarded me with newfound respect. The flicker of an approving smile danced across his face. "Very well, Percy Jackson. Your desire to protect and reclaim balance is commendable."
Two thrones surged out of the ground, one made of darkness and one made of flames. I was tackled by Hestia as she hugged me, thanking me over and over. Hades gave me a nod, but there were tears in his eyes.
"My son, you have fought in two wars and asked for nothing yourself. I ask that you at least take partial immortality. You won't age, but you can be killed in battle," said Poseidon
"Ver well, I accept."
As I stepped forward to receive my gift, the sense of sadness and agony over Annabeth's betrayal surged in me like tidal waves, but so, too, did a fierce resolve. I might have lost her to eternity, but I wouldn't give in to despair. For every choice made and every path taken, I would continue to fight—for peace, for family, and yes, for love.
And with that thought, I dedicated my life and my future to become something better for those I hold close. Because, truth be told, even after everything, I was still Percy Jackson, and I wouldn't let pain have the last word. At least, not just yet.
But of course, the universe decided to take that as a challenge and make my life miserable.