AS ALWAYS I DO NOT OWN PJO or HoO
Chapter 27: The Wrath of Olympus
The golden light surrounded Percy and Artemis as they materialized on the steps of Olympus, the sudden transition from the quiet woods to the grand palace always leaving him feeling disoriented. Percy tried to steady his breath as he followed Artemis, feeling a mix of awe and dread. He had been to Olympus countless times, but this was different. He wasn't just here as a hero. He was here as her boyfriend, and the weight of that was not lost on him.
Artemis walked confidently ahead, her silver cloak flowing behind her like the night itself. The tension in the air was palpable, and even though they were among gods, Percy couldn't shake the feeling that they were stepping into the lion's den.
As they entered the throne room, the Olympians were already gathered. Zeus, the king of the gods, stood at the center, his broad shoulders and towering height commanding attention. His stormy gaze locked on Artemis and Percy as they approached, and the room fell silent.
"Artemis," Zeus began, his voice thunderous, "I trust you have a reason for bringing this mortal here."
Percy's heart skipped a beat. He'd heard Zeus's voice boom through the heavens many times, but now it felt personal, like a thunderstorm waiting to strike.
"Father," Artemis said, her voice calm but firm, "Percy is with me because we are together. I asked him to come here."
The words hung in the air, and a sharp intake of breath rippled through the gods present. Artemis's admission was bold, and it sent a clear message. Percy could feel their eyes on him—some curious, others with barely masked judgment.
Zeus's eyes narrowed, and his voice grew colder, more dangerous. "You dare to bring a mortal—a demigod—into Olympus, Artemis? You, my daughter, who have sworn yourself to the Hunt and to chastity, to remain untouched by the weaknesses of mortals?"
The air thickened with tension. Percy could feel the pressure of Zeus's gaze bearing down on him. But he stood tall, refusing to back down. He had been through worse, after all.
"It's my choice, Father," Artemis replied, her voice unwavering. "I choose him. And I won't apologize for it."
Zeus's fury boiled over. He raised a hand, lightning crackling at his fingertips. "Your choice? You've forgotten your place, Artemis. You were meant to be a goddess of purity, above mortal frailty. And now you choose this? You, of all beings, dare to bring a mortal into the Hunt?"
"I will not apologize for loving him, Father," Artemis said, her eyes flashing. "And I won't let you dictate my life or who I choose."
Zeus took a step forward, his face twisted in anger. "You are an immortal goddess. You belong to the heavens, not to some demigod who has already proven his ability to disrupt everything he touches." He turned to Percy, his voice rising like a storm. "You, Percy Jackson, have no place here. I should have had you cast out long ago, but I was patient. Too patient. But I will not tolerate this any longer."
Percy's heart raced, and for a split second, he wondered if Zeus was about to strike him down right there. His hand instinctively moved to Riptide, but he held it in check. He couldn't fight a god—not even a god as powerful as Zeus.
"Zeus, stop," a voice interjected, calm and strong.
Poseidon, Percy's father, stepped forward from the shadows of the throne room. His trident glinted in the light, and the sea god's presence immediately shifted the atmosphere. The tension between Zeus and Artemis began to crackle like the storm before the storm.
"Poseidon," Zeus sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "What are you doing here? You are not welcome in this matter."
"I am here because this is my son we're talking about," Poseidon replied, his tone still measured but filled with a deep authority. "And I will not allow you to treat him like a piece of garbage to be cast aside."
Zeus's eyes flicked to Poseidon with obvious contempt. "Your son? You've become just as weak as he is, Poseidon. Protecting this... mortal?"
"You don't get to decide what my son deserves, Zeus," Poseidon snapped. "Percy has saved Olympus, fought your battles, and earned his place. If you can't see that, you're blind. And if you lay one hand on him, you'll have to answer to me."
The room was silent for a moment as the gods watched, some with tense curiosity, others with unease. Percy could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand up as the atmosphere grew thicker, crackling with the energy of the impending conflict.
Zeus's expression twisted, his fists clenched in rage. "You dare challenge me in my own hall, Poseidon? You dare take his side?"
Poseidon's voice was steady, unwavering. "I am not taking his side, Zeus. I am taking my son's side. You will not harm him, or anyone I care about. Not this time."
Zeus's eyes flashed with fury, and for a moment, it seemed as though the very room would explode with the raw power of their divine conflict. Percy could feel the pressure building, the air crackling like static electricity before a storm.
"Enough!" Hera's voice rang out, sharp and commanding, cutting through the tension. The queen of the gods stepped forward, her regal presence impossible to ignore. "We will not have this feud tear Olympus apart. Zeus, Poseidon, you will not fight here. Not in front of the council."
For a moment, the two brothers stood locked in a battle of wills, neither willing to back down. But eventually, Zeus growled in frustration and lowered his hand, the stormclouds above him beginning to dissipate.
"Fine," Zeus spat. "I will not strike him down, for now. But understand this, Poseidon—this relationship is an affront to Olympus. Percy Jackson does not belong here. And Artemis..." He turned to his daughter, his voice still icy. "You will answer for this."
Artemis didn't flinch. She stood tall, her silver eyes unwavering. "I'll answer for my actions when I'm ready, Father. But I will not apologize for who I love."
Poseidon stepped forward, his gaze softening as he looked at Percy. "Come, son. Let's leave Olympus for now."
Percy glanced at Artemis, and she gave him a small nod of approval. As much as he hated to leave her in the midst of this chaos, he knew it was probably the best for now.
As Poseidon and Percy began to leave, Zeus's voice rang out one last time. "This isn't over, Percy Jackson. None of this is over."
But Percy didn't respond. He couldn't. He was too shaken by the close call—by the raw intensity of the battle between the gods. As they exited the throne room, the weight of Zeus's wrath still hung heavy in the air. The storm was far from over.
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