Chapter 4: Reactions

In an instant, silence fell over the throne room as if someone had snuffed out a flame, leaving nothing but darkness. The noise of clattering chairs, the rustle of robes, and the laughter that usually filled this divine space came to a dead halt. Each god turned to gaze at me, gaping as if I had just announced the end of the world.

A few moments passed—long, agonizing moments—before chaos unfurled like a storm. Apollo, ever melodramatic, slipped off his golden throne, crashing onto the floor in an impressive sprawl. "What? Why would you say that, Percy!" he exclaimed, his voice reverberating against the marble walls. Hermes bolted up, dropping a handful of enchanted scrolls that fluttered like leaves in the wind, both in shock and confusion.

"What- how- WHY?" he sputtered, trying to regain his composure upon seeing the broken look on Percy's face.

Aphrodite, who had been dusting fairy-like sparkles onto her lashes, inadvertently smeared deep crimson across her cheeks as panic gripped her. "This is not how it's supposed to be! You can't die! You're too perfect!"

Across the room, Ares, the god of war, who had been carelessly flipping a knife in his hand, was so shocked at what Percy had said that he froze and the knife fell, plunging sharply into his own palm. "Ow! What in Hades' name is wrong with you?" he growled, pulling the knife free and glaring at Percy with fury tangled in concern.

Zeus, at the head of the assembly, tightened his grip around his master bolt, and with a jolt of electricity, shocked himself. "What?! Who does this?" he boomed, eyes wide. Hera, had sprouted peacock feathers in her hair from the shock, shot Percy a confused look while trying to fix her hair. "How could you day that!" she exclaimed, genuinely concerned for Percy.

Hades gaped, his throne moody and dark, jaw slack, as if he couldn't fathom why a demigod would crave death. Poseidon rocked in his seat, suddenly drenched as waves of water burst from him—an involuntary outburst triggered by the tension in the air. Demeter, distracted by her bowls of breakfast cereal, momentarily spilled the entire contents in shock, the grains scattering like tiny golden suns across the floor.

Hestia, seated peacefully beside the hearth on her throne, burst into flames—not in anger, but in pure flustered surprise. "Oh goodness! Percy, why would you think this?" she cried, trying to fan herself out, her warmth enveloping the chaotic energy in the room.

Dionysus, who stood idly sipping wine, coughed violently and choked on the rich liquid, sending a spout of Merlot cascading across his elaborate toga. He grimaced, glaring sideways at Hermes, "What did he just say?"

And then there was Athena, goddess of wisdom, who for once couldn't make sense of the situation, her brow furrowing as she searched for reason. "Percy," she began, cautiously probing, "what drove you to such a dark thought?"

The hall was filled with confusion, anger, worry, and regrettably, a sense of helplessness. Yet, in the sea of turmoil, one figure rose above the chaos: Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, unafraid and fierce. Clad in silver and moonlight, she stood tall as the cacophony surrounded her.

I looked up as she approached, each step carrying an intensity that silenced the whispers and gasps. Her eyes bore into mine, radiating determination and concern, cutting through the confusion rippling around them. I wondered what she could possibly do that hadn't been done to me. Would she chastise me like the others? Would she tell him how foolish I was for asking such a thing? Would she grant me my request? I braced myself for the worst.

Instead of reprimanding me, Artemis stood in front of me, her expression shifting from concern to something deeper. In a fluid motion that sent shockwaves through the assembly, she slapped me hard across the face. A collective gasp erupted across the room, even as I barely flinched, staring at her wide-eyed in disbelief.

"Artemis!" cried Aphrodite, hand to her heart.

"Why would you—?" chimed in Apollo, looking completely taken aback.

But Artemis didn't waver; rather, she leaned in closer and shouted at me. "I don't care what's going on, but killing you is not an option! You have people that care about you, Percy. People that love you and need you, how could you possibly do that to them?"

Before I could process the slap or the outcry surrounding it, Artemis enveloped me in an unexpected hug. It was fierce and warm, a protective shelter against the swirling storm of divine emotions. For a moment, the gods fell utterly silent, shock transforming into something deeper—curiosity, empathy.

All at once I felt every bit of despair, every aching thought, every sleepless night unravel as Artemis' scent surrounded me, a blend of pine and moonlight. For so long, I had been running, constantly battling demons—both literal and figurative—that gnawed at my resolve, mind, sanity, and emotions. Now, in the embrace of the goddess of the hunt, i allowed myself to break.

The sobs came without warning. Great, shuddering breaths tore through me like tidal waves, and I clung to Artemis as if she were the only anchor in my raging sea of emotions and brokenness. All of my emotions poured out in that moment, raw and agonizing. I could feel the warmth of her presence, the inner strength she possessed, and it became a lifeline that I grabbed hold of and held on tight to.

"Why would you say something like that?" Artemis murmured into his hair, the warmth and fierceness of her presence wrapping around him like a shield as they sat on the ground. "You mean so much to all of us."

You mean so much to me, she thought.

As I buried my face in her shoulder, I let the dam break, allowing the sorrow, fear, betrayals, and frustrations that I had held back for too long to crash over me like waves. The throne room, once filled with chaos, now had settled into a profound silence, the other gods' expressions a mixture of shock, sympathy, and disbelief.

Ares, still nursing the wound in his hand, softened. "That kid has been through hell," he mumbled begrudgingly, as Hermes nodded beside him, looking less chaotic and more worried.

Demeter had her hands over her heart. "We all face burdens," she whispered, almost to herself. "But Percy carries so much more than we can imagine, and more than we can ever know."

Hades shifted, interlocking his fingers pensively. "What's driven him to this? Why is he suffering?" he pondered aloud.

"He's young. He's seen and experienced too much," Athena responded, her usual sharpness dulled by concern. "We've all been alone at times, faced moments where everything seems insurmountable, and yet that is nothing compared to what he has gone through."

One by one, the gods drew closer, standing remnants of their former chaos, pushing aside the mayhem to simply bear witness to one that they considered their own own in pain. They had been stubborn and divided, yet this demigod had brought them together despite all odds, making the world a better place and making them a better family.

Eventually, Percy calmed down. But he didn't want to leave the warm embrace of the moon goddess. He tried to explain what happened, but kept getting choked up and couldn't speak.

"Shhhhh. It's ok," said Artemis, "Father, can you have Iris show us what happened?"

Zeus nodded and waved his hand, bringing up a rainbow.

"Iris, can you please show us what happened to bring Percy to this state?"

As the Iris message played, Percy stayed in Artemis's arms and occasionally trembled as he heard his friend's betrayal. He calmed down as Artemis stroked his hair, just like his mom does.

After the Iris message dissolved, the gods fell silent again. Each one shocked by just how much had happened to their beloved hero.

"Percy," said Hestia, "we will not kill you, but we can give you a purpose instead."

Percy nodded, "Please," he said softly.

"I have an idea," Artemis said, "my hunt has been low on numbers ever since the giant war, I would accept him as guardian of the hunt."