Chapter 2

Percy

Darkness. That was all I could see. At one point, I saw Charon staring down at me asking if I had drowned in a bath tub. Then his face faded and I found myself staring at darkness once more.

I couldn’t see anything. So instead of concentrating on my sight, I tried to concentrate on my other senses. In the distance, I heard someone sobbing quietly. I felt wetness on my arm and I smelt a faint scent of the sea. Slightly confused, I tried opening my eyes. I had quite some difficulty which told me that I had been asleep for quite a while.

Eventually, I had gotten my eyes to open. When I did, I was blinded with the brightness. Then, before I realized what was happening, I was crushed in a hug. Slowly, my eyes adjusted to the brightness and I saw that both my dad and Annabeth were beside me. My dad was the one that was hugging me. Annabeth had red eyes and then my father released me from his death grip. I could see that his eyes were red too.

 “I was so worried.” He told me. “You were actually dead for some time. Nico and Apollo brought you back though. I was scared that you weren’t going to survive.” Poseidon gave me another crushing hug and then left the room.

“I hope that you don’t plan on doing that again.” Annabeth whispered. “It was really scary. Your face went all pale and then you just collapsed onto the ground, barely breathing. You have also been in a coma for about a month.” I nearly fell off the bed.

“A month!” I exclaimed. My voice sounded hoarse.

“Yes.” Annabeth answered. “All the gods are worried about you; even Ares. Just so you know, they want to see you as soon as possible. Can you walk?” She asked. To answer her question, I swung my legs off of the bed and hopped off. I don’t know how I did that without face planting.

As I walked out of the infirmary, I stared at the amazing city before me. No matter how many times I have seen Mount Olympus, it will never cease to amaze me with its awesomeness. Okay. That was freaky. I am starting to sound like Apollo.

Soon I got to the throne room. Annabeth didn’t come in with me. I guess that the gods didn’t tell her to return. All the gods were there; even Hades and the minor gods. Hera was giving me a stern look while Apollo gave me thumbs up with his ear buds in his ears. My dad smiled at me and Hestia gave me a warm smile with her eyes as crackling flames.

“Perseus Jackson, you shall be given three gifts as well as immortality. This immortality is similar to the one that the Hunters of Artemis would receive.” Zeus announced. I was about to say that I didn’t want immortality but then Zeus said that everyone else was granted immortality as well. I nodded my head and suddenly, there was a soft golden glow around me. Now I could tell that I was immortal. I felt slightly stronger but not by much. “Just so you know, you can still die in battle. You just won’t age.” Zeus told me. “So Percy Jackson, what shall your first gift be?’ The king of the gods asked.

“Lord Zeus, I would like you to make Lord Hades and Lady Hestia part of the council.” I requested. “It isn’t fair for them to not be included.”

“All in favor of Hestia and Hades becoming part of the council?” Zeus looked around the room. Almost every god and goddess had raised their hand. “It is decided. Hestia and Hades will become part of the Olympian council.” A light started shining. I looked until I had to shut my eyes from the brightness. When the light subsided, I saw two new thrones. One was made out of bones and the other seemed to be made out of a warm inviting fire and some wood. That one was right next to the hearth. Hestia and Hades both sat on their thrones now, grinning happily. This might be one of the only times I have seen Hades smile.

“Thank you Percy.” Hestia said. “I would like to make you my Champion. You will be able to summon fire and home cooked meals and if you practice, your fire powers might even surpass your water powers from your father.” My dad didn’t look too happy with that.

“Thank you.” I replied. “I accept your offer.” Hestia shot a ball of red and orange flames at me. It felt like a warm tickling feeling. It felt strange yet good. Soon, the feeling subsided.

“I would like to give you my blessing too, Perseus.” Hades said. “You have gained my respect. I thank you for putting me on the Olympian counsel. With my blessing, you will be able to Shadow Travel and summon the dead.” Just like with Hestia, Hades shot a ball of fire at me. This time though, the fire was a black color. There was a cold feeling tingling through my body. I felt myself involuntarily shiver. Soon the cold feeling subsided. I felt insanely powerful right now. It felt a bit weird but I guess that I would get used to it.

 “Shall we go on? You still have 2 gifts left.” Zeus informed me.

“Can you make portals for Camp Jupiter and Camp Half-Blood so that we can travel from one camp to the other without having to travel across the whole country? Also, if one camp was in war, the other camp could easily go and help them.” I said.

“I see your point.” Zeus muttered. “I suppose that it can be done. Hephaestus? Would you like to make the portals in both camps?” Zeus asked. Hephaestus gave a short nod. “One more gift, Percy Jackson. What shall it be?” I really didn’t know what I wanted. I guess it was cool that Frank could change into different kinds of animals.

“Which animal should I choose though?” I asked myself. I finally decided on a wolf. “Um…can I have the power to turn into a wolf?” I asked the gods.

“Why do you wish for this?” Zeus looked down at me.

“I don’t really know. I just found it cool that Frank could turn into animals and I like wolves. I could also play with Mrs. O’Leary in wolf form.” I responded.

“Very well.” Zeus sighed. “Artemis, this is an animal of your domain, would you like to give this power to the boy?”

“Sure, father.” Artemis answered. She did the same thing that Hestia, and Hades did except her beam of light was silver. I closed my eyes. Suddenly, I felt myself getting smaller. The feeling was painful but not nearly as painful as the dip in the Styx. As soon as it came, the pain passed and I opened my eyes to see a black snout. I yelled out in surprise. Instead of a yell, it came out as a yelp. I looked up. The gods and goddesses were trying to hold in their snickers.

“How do I change back?” I thought. Artemis must have read my mind.

“Just think about yourself in human form.” She told me. Soon, I was an eighteen year old person again with clothes thankfully.

“Now that that is settled, counsel dismissed.” Zeus yelled and tendrils of lightning fell from the sky. They created a portal of mini lightning bolts and it seemed to suck Zeus into the portal in slow motion. Soon, Zeus was gone.

‘Drama Queen’ and ‘God if Theater’ was muttered in the room right after Zeus had left. Apollo and Hermes just laughed. Soon all the other gods flashed out of the room until only my father was left. Poseidon walked up to me.

“I am very proud of what you did, Percy.” He told me and he put a hand on my shoulder. “You basically won another war for us.” He said.

“I had lots of help though.” I protested. “Without the other 6 of the prophecy, I would have failed.”

“Yes, but without you, the other 6 of the prophecy would have failed.” My father argued, copying my words. Having no response, I just sighed. “I’ll see you soon, son.” Poseidon then disappeared into mist leaving the scent of the sea.

I walked around the city for a while, admiring the architecture. The colors gold and white beautifully clashed together making abstract designs. The columns were white yet still had gold strips running up and down them.  Nymphs and Minor Gods were staring at me as I walked past. Then after walking around a bit, I headed off to Camp Half-Blood. After an elevator ride, and a taxi ride, I arrived at the hill with the pine tree and the golden shimmering fabric on its branches: my home. It has been so long since I have been here. The last time I have been in this camp was the night before Hera abducted me. I swooped down and landed on the top of the hill quietly. I ran over to the Big House to tell Chiron that I was back. The smell of strawberries filled my nose. I grinned with happiness and burst into the Big House. Chiron looked mildly surprised.

“I have missed you Percy. How are you doing?” He asked me.

“I am doing well Chiron and I have missed you and this camp as well.” I answered, almost laughing at his shocked expression.

“There is no need to be so formal, Percy.” He informed me.

“I know Chiron. I just wanted to see how you would react.” I responded. My teacher just nodded his head. “It is good to see you again. I have missed my home.” I said. “Well, I am going to walk around a bit. It has been a while since I been here.”

“I understand child.” Chiron answered. He gave me a quick hug and I walked out of the Big House. Everything was the same as it was before. There was still the rock wall, howls coming from the woods, the cabins, the arena, and the ocean. I have missed the ocean here. With a grin on my face, I ran to the valley below. I was home.