Previously..

I clenched my fists, staring at the dark water. This wasn't like before. My power wasn't just growing—it was shifting, becoming something bigger than me, something I didn't fully understand. And if I couldn't control it…

I took a deep breath, my mind racing. I now understand why the primordials said it was important for me to master this power.. and this was only a little bit of it.

Which reminded me I needed to talk to the gods about my dream with the primordials.

I stood up, shaking out my hands, trying to steady myself. The air felt colder now, the evening darker. My body still buzzed with energy.

And whether the gods liked it or not, they were going to listen.

x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

Chapter 4: Deep Talks

The evening air was cool, carrying the faint scent of salt from the East River. I knew I needed somewhere to stay, and there was only one real option that wouldn't send me into a spiral of memories. Camp was out of the question—too many ghosts there, too many reminders of what I had lost.

With a sigh, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a drachma. I walked over to a small, quiet spot near the river, kneeling down as I flicked the coin into the water. "O, Iris, goddess of the rainbow, show me Poseidon, Lord of the Sea."

The mist shimmered before swirling into a clear image of my dad. He was seated on his massive fishing-chair throne in Atlantis, casually sipping from a golden goblet. The throne room's coral pillars and glowing blue lights cast an otherworldly glow around him.

His sea-green eyes focused on me, and he set his goblet down. "Percy! What's on your mind?"

I hesitated for a second before speaking. "I need a place to stay. I left camp because... it just brought back too many old memories. I was hoping I could stay in Atlantis for a while."

Poseidon's expression shifted, understanding flickering across his face. Then, a slow grin spread across his lips. "Of course, my boy! You can stay as long as you like. My kingdom is your home, after all."

Relief washed over me. "Thanks, Dad. And—there's something I need to talk to you about, in private."

His smile faded slightly, replaced by curiosity. "I see. Then we'll discuss it when you arrive. Safe travels, Percy."

The image dissolved, leaving me staring at my own reflection in the rippling water. Taking a deep breath, I stood and stretched before stepping into the river. The moment my foot touched the water, a surge of energy shot through me. My body adjusted instantly, and before I knew it, I was diving in, moving faster than I ever had before.

The ocean welcomed me like an old friend. I pushed forward, willing myself to go as fast as possible. The water barely resisted—I was a torpedo slicing through the currents. Schools of fish darted out of my way, and deep-sea creatures barely had time to react before I was gone.

I covered miles in minutes, the ocean floor blurring beneath me. The deeper I went, the more the water pulsed with life.

By the time Atlantis came into view, only twenty-five minutes had passed. The great domed city stretched before me, illuminated by bioluminescent corals and glowing spires. It was massive, even more sprawling than I remembered, with its swirling towers and palatial structures carved from the ocean itself. As I approached the outer gates, a pair of armored mermen guards stood at their posts, tridents in hand. One of them saw me approaching and immediately raised his weapon.

"Halt! What business do you have in Atlantis?" the guard barked, his voice echoing through the water.

I stopped just short of the gate, "I'm Percy Jackson. I have business with my dad, Poseidon."

The merman's expression flickered between confusion and skepticism—until realization hit him like a tidal wave. His eyes widened, and his grip on his trident faltered. His face paled, and in an instant, he dropped to one knee. "Forgive me, my Lord! I did not recognize you!"

I let out a tired sigh. "Yeah, no worries. Can I go in now?"

"Of course! Right away!" The guard hastily swam aside, motioning for the other guards to open the gates.

I nodded in thanks and made my way through the entrance. The streets of Atlantis were lined with shimmering coral buildings, the pathways made of polished seashells that reflected the glowing lights overhead. The entire city pulsed with energy, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to take it all in.

Atlantis was beautiful. Even Olympus couldn't compare, though I guess I was a little biased. The city felt alive in a way no other place did. It wasn't just a collection of buildings—it was part of the ocean itself, constantly shifting and breathing with the tides.

As I swam through the streets, sea creatures moved aside, casting me curious glances. Some whispered to one another, and I caught fragments of conversation.

"It's him..."

"Prince Perseus..."

"The one who fought the Earth Mother..."

I tried to ignore it, but it was hard to not feel their gazes. Mermen bowed as I passed, and I could already tell that my reputation had reached even the deepest corners of the ocean.

By the time I reached the palace, I was more than ready to get away from the attention. The grand entrance was flanked by towering pillars of swirling sea glass, and the great doors opened as I approached. Inside, the throne room awaited, its ceiling adorned with glowing barnacles and jellyfish-like lights casting an ethereal glow.

And there, seated on his massive throne, was my father.

"Welcome to Atlantis, son," Poseidon said, his voice warm but regal.

Around him stood several notable figures—Triton, his usual smug expression in place; Delphin, the dolphin god and one of my father's most trusted advisors; a few other sea deities I didn't immediately recognize; and Amphitrite, my father's wife, who regarded me with a cool, unreadable expression.

I bowed slightly, keeping it respectful but not overly formal. "Lord Poseidon."

I glanced around the room. "I appreciate the welcome, but I actually wanted to speak with you in private."

That got some raised eyebrows. Triton scoffed but didn't say anything—yet. Amphitrite, to my surprise, didn't protest either. My father studied me for a moment before nodding. "Very well. Follow me."

I had no idea what to expect from this conversation, but one thing was clear—I needed to tell somebody about my dream, and my father was the only one who would listen.

I was brought out of my thoughts when my dad placed a firm hand on my shoulder before leading me through a side passage in the throne room. The corridor was dimly lit, the bioluminescent corals casting an eerie blue glow along the walls. I could hear the distant murmur of the palace behind us, but with each step, the noise faded until only the rhythmic rush of water remained. We finally stepped through an archway that led onto a massive balcony overlooking Atlantis.

The view was breathtaking. The entire city stretched out before me, its towers and streets glowing like an underwater constellation. Schools of fish darted between coral-encrusted buildings, and in the distance, a pod of hippocampi swam through the currents.

Poseidon strode forward, resting his hands on the balcony railing. With a wave of his hand, a shimmering barrier formed around us, the water briefly shimmering before fading into invisibility.

"A sound barrier," he explained. "No one will hear us now." He turned to me, his expression shifting from the proud god of the sea to something more fatherly. "So, what's on your mind, Percy?"

I took a deep breath, my fingers tightening against the cool railing. "I had a dream," I started. "A vision, actually."

Poseidon's face remained neutral, but I could tell he was listening closely. "Go on."

I told him everything—the presence of the Primordials, their cryptic warnings, and their declaration that another divine war was on the horizon. I explained how they claimed I was at the center of it all and how they had given me a sword bound to my power, one that would unlock in stages as I grew stronger.

Poseidon remained silent, letting me speak without interruption. When I finally finished, he rubbed his chin, his sea-green eyes darkening with thought.

"Your mother being a legacy…" he murmured. "That is unexpected. I always knew there was something unique about her, but this complicates things."

I nodded. "That's why I need time to train. The Primordials practically spelled it out for me—I won't survive the next war unless I'm ready. And that means the next two years are crucial."

Poseidon studied me for a long moment before exhaling. "Percy, I don't doubt your abilities. You've already accomplished feats that no demigod—or even god—could have imagined. But there's something you need to understand."

I frowned. "What?"

He turned back to the view of Atlantis. "You're thinking about this on mortal time. The gods… we exist on a different scale. A prophecy, a warning—it doesn't necessarily mean something will happen tomorrow or even two years from now."

I felt my stomach tighten. "You think the war won't happen soon?"

Poseidon shook his head. "I'm saying it depends. The Primordials mentioned you being at the center of it all, correct?"

I nodded.

"Then that means their plans revolve around you. And now that you're partially immortal, time works differently for you too. This could take decades or even centuries, before it truly begins."

I let that sink in. I'd been bracing myself for another war, for another fight where the fate of the world was on my shoulders. But what if I was preparing for something that wouldn't happen for lifetimes? Would I spend eternity waiting for the storm to break?

"But that doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare," Poseidon continued, his voice firm. "You are stronger now, but strength alone won't be enough. If this war comes, it won't be like the others. You'll need wisdom, strategy, and patience."

I exhaled through my nose. "So what do we do now?"

Poseidon's expression darkened. "This needs to be brought before the Olympian Council."

I expected that, but hearing it still made my stomach twist. "Great. More godly politics."

He smirked. "Indeed. But that can wait until tomorrow."

I raised an eyebrow. "Seriously?"

He nodded. "For now, don't worry about it. Rest, recover, and take the time you need to adjust. We will deal with the gods soon enough."

I studied my father for a moment. He wasn't just telling me to relax—he was reassuring me. That, despite the looming threat, I wasn't alone in this.

Finally, I nodded. "Alright. Tomorrow."

Poseidon clapped a hand on my back. "Good. Now, I already have a few ideas on how to proceed, but for now, Delphin will lead you to your quarters for the night. You'll need a place to stay, after all."

I nodded, grateful. "Thanks, Dad."

Poseidon gave me one last look, his sea-green eyes filled with something almost like pride. "Rest well, Percy. You're going to need it."

He also said, "I've told Delphin to lead you to your room, son. He is waiting inside for you."

I nodded to my dad and opened the massive doors. Delphin was waiting for me there.

I followed him through the winding corridors of my father's palace, the walls lined with mosaics depicting sea battles. Every step I took echoed slightly, the smooth coral floors amplifying even the slightest movement. Atlantis was something else entirely—it didn't just feel old; it felt eternal. Like it had existed before the land and would still be here long after the surface world crumbled to dust.

Delphin walked with the quiet confidence of someone who had served my father for centuries. He had the head of a dolphin, the body of a man, and wore deep blue armor encrusted with pearls. Even though he was one of the highest-ranking sea immortals, he still walked a step behind me, which felt weird. I wasn't used to people treating me like royalty.

"You've gained quite the reputation in Atlantis, Prince Perseus," Delphin said, glancing at me as we passed another corridor.

I nearly tripped over my own feet. "Uh, what?"

Delphin chuckled. "The citizens speak of your deeds with great reverence. Many see you as the true heir to the sea, greater even than Prince Triton. Some… worship you as a god."

I winced. "Yeah, that's not weird at all."

Delphin tilted his head, clearly amused by my reaction. "You have done more for this world than most immortals. It is only natural that some revere you."

I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling awkward. The idea of people seeing me as a godlike figure was unsettling.

We kept walking, passing through a grand archway adorned with swirling patterns. The further we went, the quieter the palace became. Fewer guards, fewer servants. It felt more private, more secluded. I figured we had to be nearing the royal quarters.

Finally, Delphin stopped in front of a massive set of double doors made of shimmering abalone shell, inlaid with gold. He turned to me and inclined his head slightly. "This will be your chamber, my lord. If you require anything, do not hesitate to summon me."

"Thanks, Delphin," I said, and he bowed before turning and walking back down the hall.

I took a deep breath and pushed open the doors. The moment I stepped inside, I nearly stopped breathing.

The room was enormous, easily the size of an entire hotel floor. The ceiling was domed, embedded with glowing blue crystals that pulsed like the rhythm of the tide. The walls were made of enchanted glass, offering a panoramic view of Atlantis in all its glory. Schools of glowing fish darted past, and in the distance, I could see manta rays gliding over coral skyscrapers.

To my left was a king-sized bed, draped in silk sheets that shimmered like the ocean surface at dawn. A small nightstand sat beside it, carved from driftwood and encrusted with pearls. A few feet away, there was a personal armory stocked with celestial bronze and atlantean steel weapons, some of which hummed with magic. I recognized a trident that looked suspiciously like my father's, though smaller and meant for a single hand.

Across the room, a section was dedicated to training. Enchanted dummies lined the walls, each one shifting and adjusting its stance as if eager for a fight. The floor beneath them was made of a special type of coral that absorbed impact, perfect for combat practice.

To the right, there was a bath—if you could even call it that. It was the size of a small pool, filled with steaming water that smelled faintly of sea breeze and minerals. Water lilies floated on the surface, and I had no doubt the moment I stepped in, my fatigue would melt away.

Near the back of the room, there was a bookshelf packed with all sorts of books, some so old they looked like they'd turn to dust if I so much as breathed on them wrong. Some looked brand new.

I walked over to the massive windows, pressing my hand against the glass. Atlantis stretched out before me, its towering coral spires glowing with bioluminescent light. Merpeople and other sea creatures swam through the currents, moving through their daily lives like this was just another ordinary evening. It was breathtaking.

I let out a slow breath. For the first time since the war, I felt a sliver of peace. Maybe, just maybe, staying here wasn't the worst idea. Camp Half-Blood had too many memories. Every time I walked past Cabin 6, I saw Annabeth. Every time I looked at the Big House, I remembered our quiet moments on the porch. It was unbearable.

But here, there were no painful reminders. No ghosts of the past lurking around every corner.

I dropped my bag by the bed and flopped onto the mattress. It was ridiculously soft, like sinking into a cloud. My muscles immediately relaxed, and for the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to breathe. To just exist without the weight of the world on my shoulders.

Tomorrow, I'd have to talk to the gods. I'd have to train. I'd have to prepare for whatever was coming.

But tonight? Tonight, I could rest.

x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

I woke up feeling like a boulder had been dropped on my chest. It took me a second to remember where I was—Atlantis, in my massive, borderline ridiculous royal room. The events of the past few days rushed back, and I groaned, rubbing my face. Today was the day I'd be presenting my dream to the Olympian Council.

I rolled out of bed, my feet touching the smooth coral floor. I stretched, trying to shake off the grogginess, and made my way to the attached bath—well, more like a personal swimming pool. The water felt rejuvenating as I dunked my head in, letting the saltwater wake me up properly. After a quick rinse, I willed myself to dry and changed into a simple blue t-shirt and a pair of pants. Just something comfortable for breakfast before the chaos of the day.

Stepping into the corridor, I found someone waiting for me—a sea nymph with flowing green hair and a shimmering blue dress. She bowed deeply before offering a small smile.

"Good morning, Prince Perseus. I am Kaia. Lord Poseidon has asked me to escort you to breakfast."

Prince Perseus, that was going to take some getting used to.

"Uh, just Percy is fine," I said, rubbing the back of my neck sheepishly. "Lead the way."

Kaia nodded and turned, guiding me through the palace.

We eventually entered a grand dining hall, and my stomach immediately reminded me I hadn't eaten much since arriving. A massive table stretched before me, covered in an array of dishes—most of them containing nectar or ambrosia-based food, though there were also exotic fruits, seafood, and what looked like some kind of glowing bread. The hall was already filled with sea deities, all engaged in quiet conversations, but the moment I walked in, every eye turned toward me.

I hesitated, scanning the room until I found my assigned seat—right next to Dad and directly across from Triton. Great.

Swallowing my nerves, I made my way over and sat down. Triton gave me a neutral glance, then went back to his food, while Dad stood and cleared his throat.

"Everyone," Dad announced, his voice echoing through the hall, "my son, Perseus, will be staying in Atlantis for the time being. Let us welcome him properly."

I braced myself, half-expecting an awkward silence or judgmental looks. Instead, most of the sea deities actually smiled and nodded at me. Some even raised their glasses in my direction.

I blinked. Well, that was unexpected.

Dad sat back down, and I busied myself with eating. I grabbed some fruit and cautiously took a small piece of ambrosia, not wanting to overdo it.

Once breakfast wrapped up, I decided I needed to clear my head. I turned to Dad. "I think I'm gonna hit the training arena before the council meeting."

Poseidon raised an eyebrow. "Already preparing for battle?"

"More like stress relief," I admitted.

He chuckled. "Very well. The palace arena is at your disposal."

After excusing myself, I made my way down to the training area. The arena was massive, with walls made of smooth coral and various weapon racks lining the perimeter. There were combat dummies of all shapes and sizes, but what caught my attention was a control panel near the entrance. It had dials that allowed you to adjust the training difficulty.

I stared at it for a moment before turning everything up to the max setting. I wanted to see how tough these things could really get.

The moment I confirmed my choice, a hundred dummies activated at once. Each one armed itself with tridents, swords, or spears. Their eyes glowed as they shifted into fighting stances, surrounding me in a perfect circle.

I exhaled slowly and grabbed a spare sword from the armory nearby. My primordial-forged weapon stayed in bracelet form—I wasn't ready to use it yet, not for something as simple as training.

The first dummy lunged, and I moved on instinct. I sidestepped, bringing my sword down in a clean arc. The dummy shattered into fragments, but before I could even blink, three more took its place.

The fight escalated quickly. I weaved between attacks, dodging and countering with precision. My enhanced strength and speed made it easier, but the dummies were fast, too—faster than any automation I'd fought before. They adapted to my movements, forcing me to keep up my finesse.

For fifteen straight minutes, I cut through them, sweat mixing with the seawater around me. Finally, with a final slash, the last dummy collapsed into pieces.

I stood there, catching my breath, my heart pounding from the exertion.

Then I felt it—a presence from behind watching me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a mysterious figure standing near the entrance of the arena. I turned quickly, but as soon as I did, they darted away, disappearing into the palace halls before I could get a good look.

I frowned. Who was that?

For a moment, I considered chasing after them, but I ultimately shrugged it off. If it was important, they'd show themselves again. Right now, I had bigger things to worry about.

With a final deep breath, I wiped the sweat from my forehead and sheathed my sword. Time to get ready for the council meeting.

x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

The air crackled around us as Dad placed a firm hand on my shoulder. In the blink of an eye, the throne room of Atlantis vanished, and a sea-green light engulfed us. The next thing I knew, we were standing in the heart of Olympus, inside the grand throne room. The marble shimmered under the ethereal glow of torches, and the air smelled of storm clouds.

Dad didn't waste a second. He lifted his trident, and a beam of sea-green energy shot into the dome above us. Just before it struck the ceiling, the power dispersed into glowing particles, shifting into pure white energy. A deep, resounding boom echoed like a thunderclap, shaking the room to its core. Within moments, flashes of light filled the chamber as the Olympians arrived one by one.

Zeus, as usual, was the last to arrive, appearing in a burst of crackling lightning. He landed heavily on his throne, his piercing gaze immediately locking onto Poseidon before shifting to me. His expression soured.

"Why have you summoned an emergency meeting, Poseidon?" he asked, his voice laced with irritation. "And why is he here?" He jabbed a finger toward me, as if I were an uninvited guest at his exclusive club.

I clenched my fists but held my tongue. No need to start a fight with the king of the gods—yet.

Poseidon remained calm. "Perseus had a dream," he announced, voice steady. "One that concerns all of us."

A murmur spread across the room. Even the usually quiet Hestia and Hades, the council's newest members, exchanged glances.

Poseidon turned to me expectantly. "Tell them."

I took a deep breath, stepping forward. "Alright," I began. "I had a dream—more like a vision, really. I saw the Primordials. They told me my power is locked, that I haven't even scratched the surface of my true potential. But more importantly, they warned that another divine war is coming. One worse than anything we've ever faced."

Silence followed. My words hung in the air like an impending storm. Then, as expected, Zeus started.

"And why should we believe that you're telling the truth?" he said, eyes narrowing. "Visions are often misleading, boy."

I exhaled sharply. "I swear on the five rivers of the Underworld that everything I just told you is true."

A collective gasp rippled through the council. Even Ares, who normally looked bored at these meetings, raised an eyebrow. Swearing on the five rivers? That wasn't something you did lightly. The binding oath wrapped around my soul like celestial chains, sealing my words as absolute truth.

Zeus stiffened. He knew there was no way I could be lying now.

Athena leaned forward on her throne, steepling her fingers. "If what Perseus says is true," she said, her voice measured, "then we must begin preparations immediately. We cannot afford to be caught unprepared as we were in the last two wars. Our enemies have learned from the mistakes of the Titans and Giants. We must assume they will be smarter, stronger, and more relentless."

A few of the gods nodded in agreement. It wasn't often Athena and I saw eye to eye, but at least she understood the stakes.

She turned her calculating gaze on me. "Do you know who we are facing?"

I hesitated. "I can't say for sure," I admitted, "but I have a pretty strong guess." I looked around the room, letting my words sink in. "Tartarus."

A ripple of unease passed through the council. Even the torches seemed to flicker at the name.

"Tartarus?" Ares questioned. "You think he is behind this?"

"It makes sense," I said. "The Primordials warned me that ancient immortals have been watching me, and that they're angry because of my actions. The Titans and Giants are already defeated, but they said this enemy is something even worse than anything we've faced before. Who else would be more pissed at me than the primordial of the Pit himself? I mean, I did directly kill Gaea and take out a whole bunch of his children."

Athena nodded slowly, absorbing my logic. "It is a strong possibility. The Titans may be defeated, but that does not mean they are gone. There are still those who remained neutral in the last wars. If they choose to rebel now, we will need to deal with them quickly."

"That's easy enough," Ares said, cracking his knuckles. "Make them swear a binding oath to Olympus. If they refuse, we bring them here and get information, and then kill them."

Athena ignored him and turned back to me. "The Primordials told you that you must master your power within two years?"

I nodded.

"Then you will require special training." She tapped her fingers against the arm of her throne. "I propose that Ares and I train you in combat—especially in physical prowess. If what the Primordials say is true, you may be the most powerful and intelligent demigod alive, but it will not be enough. You need to be better."

I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or an insult.

"And what of his elemental abilities?" Demeter asked, raising an eyebrow.

"That," Dad said, stepping forward, "will be handled by me."

A silence fell over the room as the sea god's words settled.

"My son will remain in Atlantis," Dad continued, his voice firm. "I will train him personally in mastering his control over the sea."

Athena studied him for a moment before nodding. "A wise decision."

She turned back to me. "You will divide your time equally—half of the week training with Ares and me on Olympus, and the other half training with your father in Atlantis. That way, you will achieve the greatest progress possible."

Poseidon wasn't finished. "And to ensure that Perseus receives a proper education, he will be tutored by the two finest Atlantean scholars—Naukles, who will teach him history, fine arts, architecture, and war tactics, and Orthonax, who will instruct him in godly magic."

I blinked. "Wait, so I'm getting a full-on schooling and godly training?"

Poseidon gave me a look. "We are not just crafting a weapon, Perseus. We are ensuring that you become a well-rounded, educated young man."

I sighed. This was not what I signed up for. But arguing with my dad in front of the entire council seemed like a bad idea, so I just nodded. "Alright then."

Athena seemed pleased. "Good."

Athena shifted her gaze to Zeus, her expression unreadable. "We must begin preparations immediately."

Zeus sat back, stroking his beard as he looked down at me. "And what do you propose?"

"We must train our forces. Both Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter need to be at full strength. We can't afford the mistakes of the last war." Athena's voice was sharp, precise. "That means we need experienced gods overseeing their training."

Hestia, who had remained silent so far, finally spoke up. "We have five newly ascended demigods among us. They would be perfect for the task."

For a moment, the room was still. Then, murmurs spread among the gods, some nodding in agreement, others looking skeptical.

"Who would be assigned where?" Hera asked, crossing her arms.

Athena didn't miss a beat. "Leo Valdez, Jason Grace, and Piper McLean should oversee Camp Half-Blood. They have strong connections to the Greek demigods."

"And for Camp Jupiter?" Mars asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hazel Levesque and Frank Zhang," Athena replied. "They are already respected figures among the Romans, and their powers will be invaluable."

I let out a small breath. That made sense. Jason, Leo and Piper had trained at Camp Half-Blood before the war. On the Roman side, Hazel and Frank had always been loyal to their camp, and Frank was literally the praetor.

"Good," Hades said, speaking for the first time. "My son is also more than capable of preparing them for what's coming."

Zeus still looked dissatisfied. "This is all well and good, but what about Olympus itself? We cannot expect our forces to handle everything."

"Olympus must also prepare," Athena agreed. She turned to Poseidon and Hades. "Both of you should begin fortifying your domains as well. We don't know how far this war will extend. If our enemies control the seas or the Underworld, we will lose before the battle even begins."

Poseidon nodded. "It will be done. I have already begun making arrangements."

Hades simply inclined his head. "The Underworld is already secure, but I will ensure that my forces are ready when the time comes."

Just as I was thinking things were moving along smoothly, Zeus decided to stir the pot. "This is all well and good, but we are investing a great deal into the son of Poseidon."

I tensed. Here we go.

"Percy Jackson has proven himself in battle time and time again," Zeus continued, eyes locking onto me. "But how can we be certain he will not become a threat? The Titans and Giants have tried to sway him before. What if they try again? And what if this time, they succeed?"

The room went eerily silent. A storm brewed in my father's eyes, his grip on his trident tightening.

"If you dare lay a hand on my son, brother," Poseidon said, his voice dangerously low, "you will regret it."

I swallowed hard. It was never a good thing when the sea god got serious. I was starting to wonder if I should step in before Olympus had a full-on godly brawl, but before I could, Athena interrupted.

"There is a simple solution," she said, stepping forward. "Percy, if you are willing, you could swear an oath of loyalty to Olympus. That would eliminate any doubts."

The gods murmured in agreement.

Still, I understood. They needed reassurance, and if I was going to lead the charge in this upcoming war, they had to trust me.

I stepped forward, looking at each god in turn before meeting Zeus's gaze directly. "I, Percy Jackson, swear loyalty to Olympus as long as I am not betrayed." My voice was steady. "I swear it on the five rivers of the Underworld."

The moment the words left my mouth, a deafening crack of thunder shook the throne room. The air turned ice cold for a split second, and a faint, eerie glow surrounded me. The oath had been sealed.

Silence followed. Even Zeus seemed taken aback that I'd gone through with it so easily.

Poseidon clapped a hand on my shoulder, his expression unreadable. "It is done."

Zeus nodded slowly, but before he could say anything else, someone else spoke up.

"Actually, there is one more thing," Aphrodite said, smiling sweetly.

I resisted the urge to groan.

"Since there's an extra day in Percy's schedule, he should spend it with Artemis." Her smile widened as she turned to the moon goddess. "They would be the perfect pair."

Artemis, who's been quiet for the whole meeting, eyes flashed with anger and confusion. "Excuse me?"

Aphrodite tilted her head innocently. "For battle, of course. Percy is the greatest swordsman among demigods and gods alike, and you are the greatest archer. With war coming, monster activity will increase. If you two worked together once a week, you could eliminate a great number of threats before they became big."

I blinked. That actually made sense. I had expected Aphrodite to say something ridiculous, but this? I could get behind it.

Athena turned to Artemis. "Sister, what do you think?"

Artemis's silver eyes flicked to me, scrutinizing. "If Percy is willing, then I have no objections."

I shrugged. "Sure, I don't mind."

"Good," Athena said. "Then we are agreed."

Zeus, apparently satisfied, rose from his throne. "If there is nothing else, this meeting is adjourned."

Lightning crackled around him as he and Hera flashed out in their usual over-the-top fashion. Hermes muttered, "Drama queen," under his breath, making Apollo chuckle.

Athena approached me, her expression unreadable. "Meet me at four this afternoon to discuss your training. Don't be late."

I nodded. "Got it."

Poseidon placed a hand on my shoulder, and in a sea-green flash, we vanished from the throne room.

I had a feeling my life was about to get even more chaotic.

x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~x~

Make sure to join my discord server. We have polls, in-story character images, helpful mods, and lots of others interested in the story, updates will be announced there every time, I personally will be responding to everyone there so if you have questions or suggestions, head over!

Link here: discord . gg / KYGHq67HKF (Remove Spaces Please).

If you are finding this story and you are interested in my writing, I have another story that is more developed with a God!Percy, so if you are interested go to my profile and check out Storms of Olympus!

Also, I'm currently in the process of looking for beta-readers. I want to establish a mini team (3-4) of people who can beta-read chapters before I publish them. If you are interested, shoot me a DM on Discord (jayvee100) and I'll get back to you. I only ask that you be available to beta-read often and that you are willing to give a helping hand. This is done to maintain quality and make sure that each chapter is the best it can be.
Thanks,
Jv.

As always, feel free to review, comment, kudos, like, or favorite the story to support me! I look forward to reading all constructive criticism.