All rights belong to Rick Riordan

Chapter 13

The Greatest Hero

(Artemis)

"Where did he get that sword? Hestia how did he get it you had it last?" Zeus demanded hysterically looking at his sister whilst pointing at the bi-metal sword that lay on the ground. The truth was I already knew that Perseus had the sword already having seen him use it against Enceladus and again before he entered Gaia. Of course, I had little opportunity to ask under the circumstances from which he had obtained it. Then there was obviously what it had done to the now dead Augur.

"It is not my place to tell, I only know it is now with its true master." She replied matter of factly folding her arms and closing her discussion of the matter.

"He said he got it in Tartarus from his grandfather to Octavian." The Roman Praetor Reyna said bowing to the King of the Gods.

"But that is not possible, why would our father give it to my son after he defeated him? Although... it would explain something strange that happened at Olympus we were struggling to fight Hippolytus. We simply could not catch the giant when Perseus asked me to trust him and suddenly the giant was moving in slow motion it seemed." Poseidon said looking at the unconscious boy curiously.

"He has golden pupils; I saw them before. However, unless you look closely you would not notice." I added curious to know what it meant for the boy in his father's arms.

"That settles it, Apollo wake him up I demand an explanation!" My father shouted, only to be met by a sword to his throat from the Lord of the Dead.

"Whatever the story, we will listen to Perseus when he wakes up I his own time. We owe him that much whatever the story is, are you forgetting he saved us all this morning?" He warned pushing the Stygian Iron blade further under his brother's chin.

"Very well but discuss we shall, I must know if he is a threat." Zeus growled before Hades relented sheathing his blade.

"We must still deal with the Romans currently stuck outside this fort; they are leaderless at the moment." Athena added thankfully back in her usual form. The changes it appeared only affected one half of her aspects. As Athena she retained her dark hair and older, sterner look rather than Minerva's new blond hair and younger look.

"Apollo, Ares go to them and call an assembly, Hermes take the daughter of Bellona and fetch my son and the other two Romans and take them to their fellows and inform them of all recent events. I leave it at your discretion Apollo to tell them what became of the Augur they probably heard the screams." Zeus ordered before the four flashed out after changing forms.

"Once they return, we will return to Olympus and carry on the ceremony then. Oh, and Dionysius once the big house is repaired, this changes nothing you will be back here." He said addressing the rest of us earning a curse from the aforementioned god.

The Romans swiftly came to a consensus about cooperation with the Greeks. Fortunately, no campers from either camp had been killed other than my Hunters and Octavian who was swiftly forgotten. Although they did immediately strip Percy of his Praetorship because Octavian was not given a fair trial not that he would probably care, he had only held the title for 2 days. Jason was re-elected into his former post fixing the too many Praetors problem.

Once the Romans settled down and went back to their fort after Mars blew a hole in the wall, the gate still remained barred. The spear remained unmoving as did Perseus's other weapons with the exception of Anaklusmos which reverted back to a pen in his pocket. The Demigods were ordered to remain away from them for the moment until the Perseus situation was dealt with, whilst we returned to Olympus.

(Percy)

I awoke to find myself in what seemed like a hospital bed but where everything normally would be white, instead it was all made of gold. The glare from the reflections immediately made me close my eyes to shield them from the shine. Slowly I opened them again and saw my father was sitting in a chair apparently eating the hospital ambrosia before noticing the look I was giving him.

"Hello Perseus, I am glad to see you are alright, we were all worried about you." He said after licking the spoon clean.

"I am fine, honestly. Just really tired and still sad about Annabeth." I answered honestly with a sigh running my left hand through my hair. For the next minute or so we sat in uncomfortable silence as he seemed unsure of how to respond to that.

"That's good to hear you feel okay, I hate being in Apollo's temple. There is far too much gold in here." He said to which I nodded in agreement.

"Do you feel well enough to leave? The Council wants to talk to you about what really happened in Tartarus. We have seen your new weapons and are curious to know how you got them and then there is what you did against Hippolyta." He asked concerned again but not before shovelling the last of the ambrosia in his mouth.

"Dad, I am now the Titan of Time." I admitted causing him to almost spit take the food in his mouth.

"What did you say? It sounded like you said you are a Titan." He choked out in shock.

"When we were down there, we met Kronos and before fading he made me his heir and gave me his scythe." I explained before clicking my fingers summoning the sword to me. At the sudden sight of the sword appearing in my hand he went wide-eyed.

"Read the inscription on the sheath. It will confirm everything." I said showing the weapon to him and he only began to look more worried.

"But how is this possible? How can a demigod become a Titan that's just not possible... What about the shield and spear?"

"Technically I am not a full Titan apparently, or at least as far as I am aware I can still die. I still bleed red so there must be some truth to it, also I am apparently immortal or so I was told. As for the weapons they belonged to Hyperion and Krios until I killed them and made them fade too. Oh lastly, I am also partially invincible due to the Styx although it is intermittent." I concluded as my generally considered calm and collected father looked at me like I was a mad man.

"You managed... to make two Titan Lords... fade?" He questioned almost fearfully.

"Yes, as far as I am aware at least but it is more a power of the blade I think, I just really wanted to defeat them. It was them or me."

"And how did you get out of there?"

'Me and Annabeth met Iapetus the Titan, Hades sent him to help us and we rescued the Nemean Lion from Gaia's servants... Where is she anyway?" I asked actually concerned for the monster's wellbeing. Strictly speaking she had technically been Annabeth's 'pet' but I felt deeply connected to the lioness after everything we had been through together.

"She is in the throne room under guard but she seems to be cooperating for the time being. It seems quite content to lay there and watch and wait for you it appears. My brother wanted to get rid of it, but it seems it left quite an impression on the twins. Then there is the fact that if it was not for you and her, we would all have been killed by Gaia.

"That's good to hear, I forgot about her after that battle. What happened at Camp?" I admitted before asking what had happened with the demigods.

"They have declared a ceasefire; Jason got your position with the Romans back and at the moment they are making arrangements for the future between them. Starting with transporting the majority of the Legion back home."

"That's fine with me, all I did was fight a battle he deserves it." Truthfully, I only accepted the role because it was thrust upon me and to help the Greeks arrive. Look at how well that turned out, so the loss didn't bother me at all. Besides I had other things to deal with that were more important at the moment.

"I didn't think it would now we need to go now if you are able and see the council, you will need to tell them everything, Apollo will know if you are lying. We do not want to give your uncle anymore reason to see you as a threat. We may even be able to come up with a fix for your rather unique nature." He finished to which I nodded somewhat guessing what he was insinuating, before swinging my legs of the bed making sure to hold the frame just in case. But it was pointless as I felt completely comfortable as I stood on my own feet, I suppose being treated by the god of medicine in his own temple has benefits.

"Well then, let's get this show on the road before anyone gets to upset further."' I said light-heartedly turning to the door and following the convenient gold-framed green exit signs on the ceiling. Even up here on Olympus health and safety strikes, I thought to myself as my father followed on behind.

I walked out the temple and through the streets of Olympus with my father at my side. Maelstrom was now strapped to my back like it was originally, my spear had returned to its smaller form in my pocket and the shield was strapped on my arm earning me many strange looks from the Denizens of Olympus. Although they were probably not as strange as the looks the Romans were giving to the sudden absence of them in their fort.

Finally at last we arrived at the council chamber. I had good and bad memories of this place mostly bad with gods threatening to kill me for some reason or another and I had defeated Kronos in here. I had also seen me and my friends rewarded for our efforts before, even if it now felt somewhat bittersweet now as the cost had been so much and now, we were back again less than a year later for much the same reason. Annabeth was supposed to be the architect of a new Olympus but now she was dead and would never be able to see her vision reach completion.

My father left my side and walked to his throne, growing with every step until he too was at his godly size alongside the others.

"Now that Perseus is here at last, we may begin." Zeus began only to suddenly notice my armed state.

"Why is he armed and how did he get them back?" He demanded of his brother.

"Peace brother let him explain in time and you will realize. I assure you he has no intention of seeing any more fighting today." My father calmly stated as I merely nodded.

"We will deal with Perseus after the others it is only right that he gets rewarded last. After all, he did save us." Zeus said grumbling the last words.

"Again." Several muttered around the room loud enough to be heard.

"Let us begin, Jason Grace son of Jupiter, Praetor of Rome step forward." The King of the Gods called out shifting to his Roman aspect.

"You are offered minor godhood do you accept it, to serve at my side for ever? He called out only for the boy in question who looked back at Piper worryingly. This pleased me, it clearly showed he had learned from our argument on the Argo II.

"Do not worry about your friends, they will also be offered the same." Hera stated, surprising me that she had been forgiven already. Then again this was Hera we were talking about; she probably had all sorts of dirt on her husband.

Piper simply nodded towards him and he turned back.

"Very well, I Jason Grace accept your generous offer." He stated followed by a flash of light behind him as the three Fates arrived back in their usual old lady form.

The assembled Olympians began to glow with power which seemed directed at the boy in the centre of the room. As a result, I averted my eyes out of instinct, I was not aware if I could see a god's true form even now whatever I was in my hybrid state.

Finally, the glow faded revealing the now unconscious minor god on the floor. who Apollo promptly summoned a stretcher below him which raised him off the floor and carried him over to one side before Piper too was called over.

Over the next hour or so each of the others was offered the same choice to which they accepted, followed by the Fates naming of their domains once they later woke up. When Hazel was made a goddess and finally woke up Pluto actually shocked everyone as he leapt off his throne and grabbed the girl in a hug. The Lord of the Dead saying he had waited months to do that, ever since he learned of her resurrection earning a smile from the black girl, despite their rocky history as she went to stand alongside the already awake son of Mars and held his hand.

There domains were as follows:

Jason Grace, minor god of storms and Heroes

Piper McLean, minor goddess of beauty and compassion as well as Heroes

Leo Valdez, minor god of fire, machinery and Heroes

Nico Di Angelo, minor god of the honourably fallen and king of ghosts, Lieutenant of Hades and god of Heroes

Hazel Levesque, goddess of wealth and self-sacrifice as well as Heroes

Frank Zhang, minor god of Transformation and honour god of Heroes.

Their domains were selected as both camps due to the shared domain governing Heroes and demigods, although Nico would have a small palace near his fathers in the Underworld. Which he seemed glad about as it meant he could avoid Persephone now while he was there. Which of course just left me.

"Perseus Jackson, before we reward you there are somethings we need to know. Particularly the facts on what happened recently, so why don't you begin on when you entered Tartarus up to your actions in the fall of Gaia." Zeus explained and I began.

Starting with our fight against Arachne I began to explain what had happened to me. However, predictably as soon as I mentioned Kronos, Zeus blew up immediately in outrage but he was told to shut up and listen by my father. As I explained the Titan King's help and the gifts given to me and Annabeth as well his fading followed by our dip in the Styx. Athena gasped when she heard the conditions placed on Annabeth and me to receive the blessing of the river, which in hindsight made sense knowing she was affected by Arachne's oath before. This did not stop the goddess of Wisdom from promising to hunt the spider queen down if she ever resurfaced.

I continued to relay our meeting with the friendly Titan Iapetus, before our battle with the not so friendly duo and their army. I explained how I killed Hyperion and Krios and I acquired my new equipment from them. Next, we gained the companionship of the lioness currently laying curled up in the corner, under the guard of a large man with a club that I guessed was Heracles having previously met his Roman counterpart. Almost instinctively, I wanted to punch for being a dick to us on our journey and more personally to Zoe when he took Riptide and left her.

I concluded with the escape from Tartarus and sealing of the doors, asking Lord Hades to get Iapetus out as soon as he could. I left out my attacking of Hedge because honestly, they would not care apart from maybe Dionysius and he was asleep anyway.

The air battle over Greece and the following crash of the ship with me still on it. Explaining how I escaped at the last moment Ares laughed as I explained my necessary position in the Lion's mouth as we landed. Before quickly going over my actions against the giants, backed up by the respective gods I helped who nodded in agreement. Before, finally my colossus climb on Gaia. I explained how I got trapped inside her as her soul faded and her body became stone around me. This led to my rage and frustration building up and I unconsciously summoned an earthquake inside my rock tomb.

"The boy is clearly a threat to the safety of Olympus; he claims he is a Titan and has the power to kill immortals and even a Primordial if he turns on us, he could kill us all." Zeus shouted once I was finished leaping out of his throne, only to immediately be restrained by a thrown trident. Two of its prongs landed either side of his neck before burying itself in the throne, almost as if my father had predicted it.

"If Perseus was a threat, would he have defeated our enemies? Would he have stopped the mad Augur and avenged Artemis's Hunters? Were he not on our side, Gaia would have crushed us all. Need I remind you this is a rewards ceremony not a trial, what is done is done. All Perseus must do is swear an oath to never betray Olympus and the problem is solved. You should know he is bound to the Styx more deeply than anyone." Poseidon shouted at his younger brother who remained pale from the trident at his neck before he eventually nodded as the other gods all seemed to agree with my father. Rising to his feet my father walked over and withdrew the weapon.

"Does anyone else have anything else to say on the matter?" Poseidon said challengingly holding the trident out point first looking around the room.

"Yes, you said you found the Nemean Lion cub, yet that is very clearly an adult fully grown what happened." Athena asked curiously, my father seemed like he wanted to say something to his rival but actually allowed her to make the question.

"I have some degree of control over time now and I am able to seemingly manipulate Nemea's age to make her smaller, if necessary, but she also changes mental maturity. While her adult form as you can see is compliant, her cub form is playful and destructive but also afraid of most things. I am also able to reverse time at a location say to repair damage done or speed myself up and slow others down but that is far too tiring to maintain for long. I have not exactly had much time to practice if you would forgive the pun." I answered the goddess to which she seemed convinced.

"Very well now he has finished before we reward him, I want him to swear an oath to protect Olympus and never attack us." Zeus demanded folding his arms like a petulant child.

"I, Perseus Jackson son of Poseidon, Titan of Time, Slayer of Kronos, Hyperion and Krios, Bane of Gaia. Do hereby swear to never attack Olympus and to defend it, if necessary, from threats. I swear on the river Styx lest she claim my soul as punishment." I declared as thunder boomed overhead.

"There are you happy now?" I finished causing some of the gods to exhale sharply and sigh. Meanwhile the newly minted minor gods with the exception of Nico seemed to collectively sweat drop at my attitude in front of the Olympians. Most of those six minors had only just met the rest of the Olympians. Me, I had spent years putting up with this crap by now.

"Very well, now Perseus Jackson for repeated actions to save this council you are offered the position as a Major god not one of the Olympians but nevertheless you will serve as your father's Lieutenant and commander of our armies alongside your brother General Tyson." Zeus declared and I was about to raise an eyebrow at how I wanted none of that to be honest. I didn't want my whole life to be about fighting, I had spent years doing it just so I could simply walk away from the battlefield forever.

"Perseus Jackson cannot become a god!" The Three Fates shouted in objection in synchrony.

"What do you mean? I will not let him refuse this again!" The King of the Gods cried indignantly.

"It is not a matter of will noy but cannot. He is now more Titan than either mortal or god. When you grant a mortal godhood, you purge their mortal side and replace it with Ichor. However, in his case the Ichor would see the dominant side as Titan and purge the rest. Over time the Titan aspect of his essence will grow whilst the mortal side shall decrease, his godly side is protected for now but if you go through with this, he shall lose his connection to the sea and the gods for ever." They explained as both my father and Zeus seemed stunned.

"Regardless of all that, the choice is yours Perseus to make." Artemis said making it clear that it was up to me.

"I will stay as I am; I am already partly immortal and I have several armies that can attest for how easily I fall in battle." I explained causing a frown to appear initially on my father's head but also a smile at my wisecracking.

"Very well then but you must still be rewarded for your service, ask a boon of this council and we will see it done, we swear on the Styx before you ask." The god king said surprising me perhaps maybe he was learning to trust me.

"Anything I want?" I asked raising an eyebrow making the god king sweat for a few seconds.

"We all know it will be something that is for the benefit of Olympus in the long run, you are too selfless to reward yourself." Artemis stated and I had to agree, what use did I have for weapons or riches or fame. I had more than enough of two of those without trying. The only selfish request I could have had was beyond even their capabilities, the Fates has said that Annabeth's soul was too damaged to be brought back.

"I want you to make Hades and Hestia Olympians again and you are to free the Titans who were not involved in the last war. Of course, as long as they swear to not betray you and let them rebuild Orthrys. I will travel there and supervise them, as only they can help me control my new powers.' I concluded causing uproar in the council.

"You demand too much, the release of the Titans... Clearly your new nature is affecting your decisions!" Zeus shouted again.

"I may be a Titan now due to your father or are you forgetting of all the council members in here 6 are the children of titans including you yourself plus obviously Hades and Hestia. The only difference between gods and Titans is seemingly perspective and prejudice. If they swear to non-aggression what is the issue? If they don't do so you are free to leave them in their prisons. No harm no foul." I explained.

"Very well we shall vote on the matter however I see no issues with the first point, welcome back brother and sister." He said before clapping his hands and two new thrones rose out of the ground on either end of the council lines. Hades's was much the same as his down in the Underworld black with fused bones and gems. Whilst Hestia's was seemingly made of wood that seemed to constantly burn almost comfortably, like it was a log fire. However, it quickly caused Aphrodite to shriek as it threatened to burn part of her long flowing dress to smoulder as it fell to near it.

"Now then we shall decide on the titan matter and Perseus's training. All that are for raise a hand, someone wake up Dionysius, this is too important for my son to miss. Sure enough, he was swiftly woken by two arrows that instantly thudded next to his head from both twin archers.

"Did we make Perry a god yet?" He asked confused earning yet another silver arrow just above his head.

"No idiot, we are discussing releasing the peaceful Titans instead." Athena stated pulling a face that suggested that she unable to believe she was related to the idiot.

"It does not matter, all that are in favour raise your hands."

The hands of Apollo and Artemis went up first and were swiftly followed by Hades, Hestia, Poseidon, Athena, Hera, Hephaestus and even Ares surprisingly.

"Nine to five the council has decided and so it shall be. Although we will be keeping an eye on them and you Perseus, we expect regular updates on both. You shall return here once a year on the summer solstice and tell us of their actions. If we don't like them, we may be forced to crack down and implement measures to correct them. Also, it would be better if they are to limit the number of demi-Titan child they have, as they are not bound to their parent's oaths." I nodded in agreement it was all fair. I was almost tempted to raise a point about the last point but Hera beat me to it.

"Perhaps you should try setting a good example to them then husband?" She said sweetly that instantly made the god look uncomfortable.

"Now then is there anything else to discuss while we are here?" He said seemingly trying to move onward without addressing what she had said.

"Only that the hunters will need to remain at camp for the time being until they are healed and we can start recruiting again. This war has cost us heavily although I will need a new cabin, the old one will serve as a memorial to those lost. Athena if you get a chance could you design something worthy of their sacrifice, spare no expense Apollo is paying." Artemis added glaring at twin, I had to agree it would be sacrilegious to rebuild on their graves.

"Very well minor gods you are to return to camp and inform them of the changes but no one is to tell them about Perseus for the moment. Tell them he is traveling or something believable, you too daughter tell your hunters the same until we know how this turns out." He added before flashing out followed by most of the others and the Fates. Dionysius grumbled as he acted as chaperone for the new gods back to Camp Half-Blood. Leaving me with Hades, Hestia, Athena, my father and Artemis. As well as the figure of Heracles in the corner next to my pet.

Hades was the first to approach and simply shook my hand and thanked me for restoring his throne and status. As it meant he could come to Olympus whenever he wanted and use it as an excuse to get away from Charon's demands for a pay rise. He also whispered it was worth seeing the looks on his brother's face during my story and explanation.

Hestia simply smiled and pulled me into a hug and said she knew her father had turned good before his death. That now she would be able to talk to her mother Rhea whenever she wanted.

Artemis simply said there was hope for me yet and thanked me for releasing her mother Leto and on behalf of Apollo. Who had seemingly forgotten she too was included amongst the other Titans. She also promised to tell Thalia what happened to Annabeth and that I was traveling to get over the loss, too which I was thankful. I was planning a visit to camp but I was not going to enter there was something I wanted to try.

My father simply explained that he was glad I was alright although he was saddened, that I couldn't become a god and rule alongside him. Although he did expect me to visit sometimes when I got a chance and to watch out for Oceanus. As he was still out there somewhere and would not be bound by any oath.

That left me with the goddess of Wisdom.

"Perseus I am sorry for the trouble I caused you over the years, I was selfish to impose my hatred for your father onto my daughter and you. I am sorry she had to die to make me lose my hatred of the Romans but I am glad that a part of her will always be with me. Now finally for the first time in millennia I feel whole again, although now there remains a hole in my heart where she was as I am sure you understand. Now I have a gift from her to you that she hopes will protect you." She finished before changing into Anna Minerva the contrast in looks still surprising me at how much she resembled an older Annabeth.

The Roman goddess reached behind her back and drew forth Annabeth's hunting knives Chasing Wisdom and presented them to me.

"These come with a message from her. She says that although she will always love you, it is not possible for you to be reunited and that she loves you enough to expect you to move on." She finished sincerely; I knew it was true but it would take a long time for it to happen if I even could.

I reached forward and took the weapons; I concentrated on the blades and willed them into a smaller form and watched as they formed two matching throwing knives as well that I strapped to the inside of my forearms.

"Thank you, Lady Minerva, for both the gifts and the message. Tell her I will always love her but may one day do as she commands." I stated quietly.

"I would expect nothing less and there is no need to call me Lady. I would not have objected should have been made an Olympian god as well were it not for fate. Instead, you are a Titan Lord, we are equal. I look forward to our meeting next and hearing what changes have affected you and how the Titans react to your arrival." She said back to her normal inquisitive self and with that she flashed away.

Slowly I walked towards the two figures in the corner, past the Ophiotaurus who was happily swimming in his bubble before reaching the man standing leaning on his club.

"You can go now, were leaving." I told the minor god who straightened up to his full height and looked down at me.

Now I am a fraction over six foot' but he was easily seven feet tall and much more muscled under that sleeveless shirt.

"Why should I do as you ask, I am the greatest Hero ever, I am a god and you can still die." He said threateningly raising the club over his broad shoulder.

"Pretty sure I was offered major godhood but whatever. You're right though I am only a lowly Titan who has simply done everything you did except fetch the groceries from a tree and steal a belt, you know what I'll get an apple when I go to Orthrys and ladies fashion accessories don't suit me. The difference is I didn't betray or abandon anyone to do any of it. Now kindly get away from my pet before I send you back home to your wife/sister in pieces." I replied with my own threat and watched his body turn red with rage as blood vessels began to pop to the surface everywhere.

"Watch what you say boy!" He said stamping a foot towards me cracking the marble.

"What's the matter? Bored of hanging out between the pillars because Hebe wants to invite other men over and you cramp her style like the cuckold you really are?" I finished just in time to avoid a sideswipe that should have taken my head clean off but simply laughed and slowed time for the minor god. What followed could hardly be described as fair as I proceeded to beat seventeen shades of crap out of him. Using my shield to strike his body repeatedly before finally whacking him over the head with my shield knocking him out as I returned time to normal. Looking down at the son of Zeus I briefly questioned if his leg was supposed to bend that way before realising, I just didn't care.

"That was for Zoe you piece of shit. Come on Nemea let's go." I stated to the lioness who stretched her body out and walked over to me before we left the chamber together, first stop Camp Half-Blood Hill.