Just as I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
AS ALWAYS I DO NOT OWN PJO or HoO :( SO SAD
Anyways, LADIES AND GENTS WITHOUT FURTHER MORE CHAPTER 21 HOPE YOU ENJOY.
Chapter 21: The Burden of Balance
The golden halls of Olympus buzzed with tension as Percy and Artemis made their way to the council chamber. The atmosphere was thick, not with the grandeur Percy had once associated with this place, but with a sense of impending conflict. The gods were rattled. When the gods were rattled, chaos wasn't far behind.
Artemis walked with purpose, her silver aura shimmering faintly as if to shield her from the storm they were about to enter. Percy followed close behind, gripping Riptide in his pocket and bracing himself for the gauntlet of divine scrutiny he was about to face.
The council chamber loomed before them, its massive columns casting long shadows. The gods were already gathered, their thrones arranged in a semicircle around the central hearth. Zeus sat at the head of the assembly, his thunderbolt leaning against his throne like a silent reminder of his authority. The tension in the room was palpable.
As Artemis and Percy entered, all eyes turned to them. The low hum of conversation ceased, replaced by a charged silence.
"Artemis," Zeus intoned, his voice like rolling thunder. "You bring this mortal to our council once again. Explain yourself."
Artemis stepped forward, her voice measured but unyielding. "Percy Jackson is entwined with the prophecy. To exclude him from these discussions would be foolish—and unjust."
Hera leaned forward, her piercing gaze fixed on Percy. "Unjust? This prophecy speaks of betrayal. How do we know this mortal isn't the cause?"
Percy clenched his fists, heat rising in his chest, but Artemis was faster. "Percy has proven himself time and again," she said sharply, her silver eyes flashing. "He has earned his place here."
Apollo leaned back lazily in his throne, the smirk on his face betraying his amusement. "Proven himself, sure. But this prophecy isn't a walk in the park. 'Shadow born of light's betrayal'? Sounds like it hits a little too close to home for you, sis."
"Watch your tongue, Apollo," Artemis snapped, her voice cutting through the chamber. "This isn't a jest."
"I'm just saying," Apollo replied, raising his hands in mock surrender, "the mortal world has a knack for dragging us into their mess."
"Enough!" Athena's voice cut through the growing commotion. "This isn't about personal grievances. The prophecy is unclear, but one thing is certain: we must act before it's too late."
"Danger lies wherever this boy treads," Hera hissed, her voice dripping with disdain. "He invites calamity wherever he goes. How many times must we clean up after him?"
"Funny," Percy shot back, unable to hold his tongue. "I don't remember you doing much cleaning. In fact, I've saved your divine necks more times than I can count."
Hera's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You dare speak to me that way?"
"Maybe if you showed a little gratitude for once, I wouldn't have to," Percy retorted, his temper flaring. "You're so busy pointing fingers, you can't see what's right in front of you."
The gods erupted into chaos, their voices clashing like a tempest.
"He's reckless!" Hera barked.
"He's resourceful," Poseidon countered, his trident tapping the marble floor.
"This is irrelevant," Athena interjected, her voice cold. "Focus on the prophecy."
"He shouldn't even be here," Ares growled.
"He's earned his place," Artemis said firmly, her aura flaring with resolve.
Zeus slammed his fist on the table, and the entire chamber trembled. "Enough! We will have order!"
The room fell silent, though the tension was far from dissipated. Zeus turned his gaze to Percy, his expression as imposing as the storm clouds that always seemed to follow him. "Boy, do you even understand the gravity of what you stand in the midst of? This is not a game. This is the fate of the gods—and the mortal world."
"I understand perfectly," Percy replied, meeting Zeus's gaze without flinching. "And I've risked my life for both more times than I can count. Maybe instead of questioning me, you should be asking why this keeps happening under your watch."
The council fell into a stunned silence. Even Artemis glanced at Percy, her eyes widening slightly at his audacity.
"You overstep," Zeus growled, lightning crackling at his fingertips. "You are fortunate I value restraint, or you would regret that insolence."
"You're free to try," Percy muttered under his breath, earning a sharp nudge from Artemis.
Zeus's thunderous voice cut through the silence again. "This mortal will not wander unchecked. If he is to remain involved, he must be watched."
"Watched?" Artemis's voice was sharp, her silver aura flaring. "You would place him under suspicion? He has done nothing to deserve this."
"He is your responsibility," Zeus said, his tone unyielding. "He will stay with your Hunt. If he falters—if he so much as hints at betrayal—it will be on your head."
Artemis's jaw tightened, her eyes blazing with defiance. "You would burden me with your paranoia? He is no threat to Olympus."
"It is not a matter of what he is," Zeus said. "It is a matter of what he could become. The prophecy is clear: shadows and betrayal. Until we know more, he remains with you."
Artemis stared at her father, her expression icy. "So be it," she said finally, her voice as cold and sharp as a blade. Without another word, she turned and strode out of the chamber, her silver cloak billowing behind her.
Percy hesitated for a moment, then hurried after her, the murmurs of the gods following him like an unwelcome echo.
Outside the council chamber, Artemis stood at the edge of the golden balcony, her gaze fixed on the glittering expanse of Olympus. The tension in her posture was palpable.
"You didn't have to take that," Percy said quietly as he approached. "I can handle myself."
Artemis turned to him, her silver eyes unreadable. "You don't understand, Percy. They aren't just testing you. They're testing me."
"Why? You're one of the most capable gods here," Percy said, confusion and frustration mingling in his voice.
"Because I broke their expectations," she said, her tone softer now. "You are mortal, Percy. And to them, that makes you a liability. But to me..." She trailed off, her gaze softening.
Percy stepped closer, the tension between them shifting into something more resolute. "To you, I'm someone who's going to fight for what's right. For what matters. And that includes you."
For the first time since leaving the chamber, Artemis's lips curved into a faint smile. "Then we fight together," she said. "No matter what comes."
Percy nodded, the weight of Zeus's decree settling on him. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: he and Artemis would face it side by side.
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