Chapter 6: More Blessings and the Start of a New Journey
For a brief moment, silence settled over Olympus, heavy enough to drown out even the distant rumble of the earth below. The gods, usually so vibrant and chaotic, exchanged shocked glances as Percy's skin flickered with streaks of radiant color, shades of black and white swirling around him like an oil slick.
Then, suddenly divine chaos exploded. Ares let out a wild whoop, his armor clinking as he swung his massive sword. "This is incredible! We need to see what the kid can really do!" Hades crossed his arms, amusement lurking behind his dark demeanor. "Do you think he's ready? Chaos is not a plaything; it is a force that can bend the will of even the strongest god."
Zeus furrowed his brows, the thunderclouds brewing ominously overhead signaling his rising ire. "If anyone will bend it, it will be in our favor!" he boomed, slapping a bolt of lightning into his palm. "Percy is one of us now! He deserves our blessings."
Apollo chimed in, a smirk on his lips. "Let's not ignore the artistic potential here! Why not bless him with a touch of beauty and charm? Imagine the ballads!"
Athena, standing off to the side, adjusted her glasses with skepticism. "Be rational, all of you. There is wisdom in chaos, but Percy must be able to harness these blessings wisely." She turned her attention to Percy, her tone shifting from playful to serious. "Do you understand what you have agreed to?"
The whole affair might have turned into a divine brawl had it not been for Hestia, who was seated quietly at the side. Her soft, warm gaze, usually radiating tranquility, now glowed with fire. She raised her hands, flicking her fingers in a decisive motion, summoning a spiraling pillar of flames that shot up toward the domed ceiling. The other gods paused, their argument collapsing into awed silence.
"Enough acting like children!" she demanded, her voice echoing as the flames danced above them. "We are Olympian gods! If we are to honor Percy, let it be worthy of our station."
With Hestia's flames still crackling above, the gods settled onto their thrones, tension turning into an electric anticipation. They turned toward Percy, who stood bewildered, shifting his weight from one foot to the other, wondering how a teenager found himself in the middle of this divine tempest.
"Very well," Zeus said finally, his booming voice restoring calm to the storm. "Percy Jackson has been chosen by us to protect the Hunt, and the creator herself has blessed him for the occasion. It is fitting we bless him ourselves to help him accomplish this monumental duty."
Percy stood there, acutely aware that he had just had the divine influence of Chaos thrust upon him. But now, there was a whole new wave of power about to rush over him.
Ares stepped forward first, his presence a whirlwind of aggression and warfare. "With my blessing, you gain the spirit of the warrior. You shall command the strength of legions in battle and the instinct of a soldier. When the fight calls, you will rise like a tempest. Your strength will also significantly increase" He placed a gauntleted hand on Percy's shoulder, and a rush of power flooded into him. Adrenaline filled his veins, fortifying him with the relentless bloodlust of a warrior, an indomitable will that knew no retreat.
The ground trembled slightly beneath his feet, emboldening him even as the gods continued to watch, their gazes shifting with ever-growing interest.
Hestia stepped up next, a calm amid the storm. "I bless you with the power of the hearth, a protector of family and friends," she said softly, waving her hands as if igniting an inner flame within Percy. "You will possess the warmth of home, the ability to summon flames, and the ability to influence hope in others. I also give you the power to summon homecooked meals. Remember Percy, the hearth has the power to harm as well as to heal.."
Percy felt an internal glow, warmth swelling in his chest, creating a balance of fierce warrior spirit and gentle caretaker. He nodded appreciatively, happy that one of his favorite goddesses had decided to bless him.
Hades appeared next, his shadow emanating from the depths, cold and haunting. "You'll command the darkness as I do, Jackson, but the darkness shall work for you, not against you. With my blessing, you'll be able to control the shadows, shadow travel, and summon skeleton warriors as needed. Use this wisely."
Instantly, Percy felt the spectral threads of the Underworld wrap around him, tapping into the ethereal energy of the lost. The invitation to the unseen realms hinted at even more extraordinary possibilities ahead. It was both exhilarating and intimidating.
Zeus was next, his stature enormous as he loomed over Percy. "And now, the power of the thunder," he thundered dramatically, raising his hand. "When you summon this, let storms bend to your will. You will have dominion over lightning, channeling it as both shield and weapon. I also give you permission to travel in my domain." A bolt of energy crackled violently through the air above Percy, showering him with bright sparks. Percy's limbs thrummed with electric energy, and he grinned; he could almost feel omnipotent at that moment.
Apollo stepped forward, the radiance of the sun in his every gesture. "I will bless you too. With my blessing, your skills in archery, music, and healing will excel beyond measure." His voice rang with enthusiasm, and as Percy accepted the blessing, images of pyres ablaze with energy filled his mind, tunes of joy echoing in the corners of his consciousness. It was twofold; not only would he wield weapons, but he could heal with a song, light a fire with a thought—an artist wielding fervor and beauty with deadly grace.
"I too will bless you," Athena asserted, her presence sharp and commanding. "You shall possess the insight of a strategist. In every battle, the wisdom to navigate through challenges, to think three steps ahead of your enemies, will be yours. Knowledge will be your fiercest weapon."
The gods gaped at her, amazed that she would bless a son of Poseidon. Their gaping stopped with one glare that she shot at them.
Percy felt an enhancement of clarity, the secrets of ancient wisdom pulsing at the back of his mind, weaving themselves into the fabric of his thoughts and instincts. The world around him seemed to crystallize for just a moment, and his heart raced with the chaos of tactical insight.
Lastly, it was Aphrodite's turn, and as she ascended, a silvery radiance trailed in her wake, like a constellation of sparkling stars. "Oh, Percy," she said, her voice dripping with honeyed allure, "with my blessing, you shall possess the gift of charm and beauty. Your presence will captivate, enchant, and disarm those who oppose you. You'll be irresistible."
"No—wait!" Percy squeaked, shaking his head vehemently. "I don't want this! The Hunters will kill me! Are you crazy?" But Aphrodite waved her hand dismissively, smiling as if she didn't hear him and then simply bestowed her blessing. The very air around him shifted, glowing with allure and the sudden potent energy of attractiveness.
Elation intertwined with panic as he caught glimpses of his own reflection in the shimmering auras. He appeared almost otherworldly, radiating charisma with each flicker of light around him. Every god present saw a weapon of unfathomable power emerging in Percy, only he seemed to see the Hunters sharpening their arrows, planning his demise.
"Anyone else," asked Zeus. When nobody spoke up, he raised his masterbolt and thundered, "council dismissed!"
Percy muttered, "Drama Queen," as he disappeared in a big bolt of lightning.
Most of the other gods flashed out not long after, and only the few that were close to Percy remained along with Athena, who was approaching him looking slightly nervous.
"Percy," she said a bit timidly, "I'm sorry for what my daughter did. And if there's anything-"
"Lady Athena, you don't need to apologize," Percy interrupted, "her decisions were hers alone to make. You are not responsible for her actions."
"Thank you, Percy," she said before flashing out.
Next, Apollo approached me. "Percy," he said quietly as not alert Artemis about what he was saying, "please take care of my sister, i know i give her greif, but she really means alot to me."
"You have my word Apollo."
He smiled and flashed out as my dad and hestia approached me last.
"If you need anything, we're here Percy," said Hestia as she hugged me.
"Thank you, lady Hestia. I promise to be careful dad."
They both nod and then flash away. I turn to Artemis and offer my hand.
"Shall we get going, milady?"
She nodded as she took my hand and flashed us away to the hunter's camp.