Chapter 19: Introduction


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OLYMPIAN THRONE ROOM

Artemis arrived back in the throne room, looking red and embarrassed. She avoided looking up and went straight to her throne which was next to her brother who was looking at her with raised brows

Percy flashed in looking dazed and confused, but he quickly shook it off when he became aware that many eyes were on him.

He cleared his throat, his eyes flicking from Artemis and to his council "I have managed to talk Artemis out of her ridiculousness and had come to a decision that we pull back the additional punishment..."

Tartarus narrowed his eyes down at the Moon Goddess who was looking at the marbled floor like it was some kind of fascinating object "What exactly happened?"

Percy looked at Artemis and sighed when she didn't look up.

He turned to face Tartarus "We had a talk about her immaturities and had managed to settle with a decision."

At the word immaturities, Artemis' head shot up to stare at Percy with incredulity

Percy ignored her stare

"I will be gone for a while since I will be handling a few things back in my kingdom" Percy turned to face his council and the Olympians "I will be out for a minute. While I am gone, I want Ananke to take charge and decide as to when the punishment should be delivered..."

Percy looked at his sister and she nodded "I will do what I must, brother"

He gave her a smile "I know you will."

Percy turned to face the two camps "The army will arrive tomorrow evening, and I expect everyone of you to be at your best behaviour. They will be the one to take over my trainings with you, while I make plans with the Olympians."

He turned to the Olympians "I will be pulling my Elites and myself back from our stations for a while. They will be with me throughout the planning as they will need to know where they will be positioned during the battle. The hunt will not be allowed any free reigns from now on as part of the penalty. They are not allowed to go hunting as long as the punishment is still on motion. They are only allowed to go back to their everyday activities when the punishment had passed. If there are any more questions regarding the punishment, consult with Ananke."

Artemis stood up from her seat, her silvery eyes trying to capture Percy's eyes "This was no—"

Percy ignored her yet again, blocking her futile attempts of trying to start another argument that would lead to more complications.

Percy turned to face his council "Lastly, I want all of you to be constantly alert of your surroundings as well as yourself. End has begun making his move and I can't have any of us getting injured because we are unprepared. He took me by surprise and I am still recovering from my mistake. I want the lot of you to assist the Gods and the demigods as much as possible— but for now, return with me to discuss some important matters"

The primordials nodded and was about to flashed out when Katie raised her hand while clearing her throat

Percy furrowed his brow and turned to the direction of the daughter of Demeter "Yes?"

Katie fidgeted under his stare, hesitating for a moment "I was wondering all this time on who is who?"

"Who is who...?" Percy repeated, feeling perplexed on what she was implying

Katie pointed to the primordials "Them. I know that they're your siblings, but we do not know anything about them besides Ananke who you just mentioned a few moments ago"

"Wait!" Malcolm exclaimed, looking like he just solve the most difficult problem ever laid out by Einstein "Isn't Ananke the mother of the fates and one of the primordials?!"

The whole room tensed when it was spoken, all turning to Percy for a proper explanation. Eyes speaking with urgency— urgency to know if an enemy is under their roof.

Percy cannot blame though. They had been attacked by one of the primordials twice before, and knowing that some of them—scratch that, all of them are under the same roof sharing the same oxygen, does make one anxious and jittery.

Percy suppressed snort "First of all, Ananke is not the mother of the fates—Chaos is. Second of all, why yes Malcolm, Ananke is one of the primordials and is in fact... one of my siblings"

"Then they are...?" Hermes asked, looking tensed with his hand gripping his staff tightly

"The other primordials, of course" Perseus frowned, then his eyes widened under he hood when realization hit him "Wait..."

He massaged his temple with his hand slowly, as if trying to stop a migraine from coming through "Please do not tell me that throughout this whole meeting, none of you knew on who they were?"

"We sense nothing from them. The only thing we could feel was the immortal blood flowing through their veins— nothing more than that. We though that they were part of your... team " Athena argued

"You thought that they were what?"

"Part of the Elites" Athena answered

"You think that a majority of the council consists of my soldiers? If it were that easy, the penalty for the hunters wouldn't be this complicated, don't you think?"

Athena opened her mouth to argue, maybe throw some philosophical theories about things like this and things like that being possible and all those nonsense that makes Percy's head throb.

Percy held up a hand, not wanting to put the matter into something that Athena will see as debatable "No matter. I will just introduce you to them before they go"

He motioned for his council to line up behind him. They did so, one by one.

Percy turned to looked at the Gods "I will be introducing them to you carefully, so pay attention. I kindly ask some of you to not react violently for there are some in this line that did not gave you... good memories"

He started with Tartarus who was looking at the Olympian Council with annoyance flickering in his onyx eyes.

The occupants surveyed the man and some girls couldn't help but sigh dreamily at how how he looks.

His dark locks was tousled and kinda sticking to various direction and should have looked like a bird nest but in all honesty just made him look more sexy in a 'just-got-out-of-bed way', showing the others that he had been running his hands and pulling his hair for the past minutes. He cracked his neck and everyone saw the sharp jawline that could have put a knife to shame. He was standing with his hips cocked to the side, still managing to appear tall and intimidating even with his slouching form. His ears were adorned with different earings and you could hear a pin drop when he swiped his tongue over his bottom lip as a form of show, showing people of his glinting silver tongue piercing.

His hands were stuffed to his black leather jacket, his black shirt ruffled a bit from him fiddling it a few moments ago, over a dark ripped jeans pairing with a dark converse. Everything about him screamed 'BAD AND DANGEROUS' and the ladies couldn't help their staring.

Tartarus gave a snort and smirk at Aphrodite who was all but salivating on the spot "Wipe that drool and stop hoping, Love Goddess. I ain't gonna be your next fuck"

Hemera gasped with a scandalous expression on her face "Tartarus!!" shortly followed by a loud smack on the biceps

Tartarus gave a grunt and rubbed the spot where he was hit "Damn woman, calm your ti—"

Hemera gasped and slapped him on the face "You better not finish that sentence, brother"

Tartarus rubbed his throbbing cheek and glared at his sister with annoyance, trying to ignore his snickering brothers "I didn't even get to finish it because you slapped me!!"

Hemera huffed and crossed her arms "Would you have stopped if I just said it to you?"

Tartarus snorted and stuffed his hands back in his jacket "No"

They were too busy arguing that they failed to notice how everyone froze the moment the name 'Tartarus' left Hemera's lips.

"Did you just say... Tartarus?" Ares croaked out

Tartarus raised his eyes and met the eyes of the War God, giving him a menacing grin "You heard correctly, punk. Heard ya gave ma bro some problems"

Ares paled instantly that Perseus worries if he might faint any second. Ares quickly averted his eyes, trying to ignore the stare of a certain primordial that embodies the pit

"Aren't you suppose to be... old?" Dionysus asked hesitantly

Tartarus raised a brow and put a hand over his chest "Now I am hurt that you think that you Gods are the only one who can take a younger form. I kind of like being young, makes me feel more confident to say that I'm handsome while staring at a mirror. I'm being a narcissist, I know, but who cares? Also, I believe that I won't get babes to fall for my whims if I showed up as an old man waiting for his death to come now, do I?"

Hemera gave a frustrated sigh and pinched Tartarus on the arm with her nails, eliciting an exclaim of pain from the man "Honestly, can't you just for once— I don't know, behave like a decent being?"

Tartarus huffed and rolled his eyes "Honey, this is me being decent. Bear with it or leave. Your choice"

Hemera gasped and punched him on the side, making him wheeze out in pain "Damn it, Hemera!!"

"Whatever" Hemera rolled his eyes, before turning to the Gods and their children "How are you all? It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Hemera. And as you can see, this idiot beside me is Tartarus. I hope we won't have any more problems in the future"

Tartarus rolled his eyes and muttered something akin to 'bitch' under his breath. Hemera twitched and she gave the Gods a smile before grinding her heels down at Tartarus' covered clad feet

Tartarus exclaimed at the sudden pain flaring from his foot and took deep breaths to not yell out with the way the heels dug at his skin

"I hate you" Tartarus hissed out, his dark eyes glaring at his sister

Hemera smiled sweetly at him "Funny. I feel the exact same way"

Ouranos rolled his eyes at the two before stepping forward, his sky blue eyes sweeping the crowds of immortals before settling at the King of the Gods "It is a pleasure to finally meet my grandsons and granddaughters in person." He gave a bow before staring right into the shocked eyes of Zeus "I am Ouranos, the guardian and the embodiment of the sky and winds. It is nice to meet you, King of the Gods"

Zeus straightened and narrowed his eyes at Ouranos when the man let loose a little bit of power off of him. Ouranos was challenging Zeus right in the face, and was waiting for an outburst from the King

However, Zeus only took a deep breath and settled down. His electric blue eyes clashing with the clear sky blue eyes of his grandfather "I welcome you to our home, Ouranos. It is also a pleasure to finally meet a relative long lost in the hierarchy of our family tree"

Ouranos stared at him and everyone held their breaths, waiting for something to happen.

After a few moments of silent staring, Ouranos broke into a smile. He gave Zeus a nod full of approval "I am glad to know that you have changed for the better. Now, I can at least ease up a little with the knowledge that my domain is in safe hands"

Ouranos gave Zeus another smile before stepping back, but not before his eyes pass through the hearth of Olympus. There, he saw the eldest child of his son, sitting and tending to the fire, silently watching the scenes unfold before her eyes

He nudged Kronos and gestured towards the hearth, silently conveying to the immortal to go and talk to the Goddess. If he plans on engraving himself back into the family, he needs to earn the trust of his very first victim. His daughter, Hestia.

Kronos look at his father with incredulity "Now?!"

Ouranos raised a brow at his son "Of course. What better way to gain the trust of someone than to a room full of crowd that hates you to the very core, where everything is at risks?"

"But—" Kronos whined

Ouranos held up a hand "I did not raise a coward, son. You are not making any progress. You constantly skitter past them and dilly dally. You won't achieve your goals if you keep hesitating. Now go to your daughter and talk to her. You don't need to reveal yourself right up, just make some small conversation and try to ease her up, hm?"

Kronos slumped and nodded his head "Yes, Father"

Kronos slowly trudge to his daughter, his back slouched forward, his bottom lip jutted out and his feet being dragged on the floor. You would have think that he was carrying something heavy with how he was walking.

Ouranos shook his head, endeared with his son's action. He turned his head and saw that most of his siblings were done and that Gaea was the only one left.

Gaea was jittery and fully of anxiousness. Her hands constantly fiddling with her gown, and playing with her hair. She was shuffling from one foot to another. Her beautiful face scrunched up with worry, her bottom lip being nibbled on with nervousness.

When Nyx move back, Percy stepped forward to place his hand on Gaea's lower back. He gently steered her forward and squeezed her shoulder as an act of support and encouragement

Gaea stood with her back straight and her hands clasped together in front of her. You could see rivulets of sweat trickling down the side of her face with how nervous she was.

After a few moments of not speaking, the campers and the Gods furrowed their brows. They looked at Percy, trying to ask if there was something wrong.

Percy shook his head and held up his hand as a sign for them to ease back and wait

He motioned for Ouranos to step forward and stand beside his wife. He stepped in front of Gaea and coaxed her out of her fear.

"Hey... hey... look at me" Percy crooned, motioning for Gaea to look up and look at him.

Ouranos slid his hands until it was resting at her waist, giving a comforting squeeze and a quick peck on the top of her head, silently conveying his support and comfort for his wife

"I can't" Gaea squeezed Ouranos' hand on her waist, raising her eyes that shows the earth and nature, which was under her domain; it showed anxiousness and fear "They'll hate me"

"The won't" Percy promised, smiling at her "I was your main target and I managed to forgive you. If I, the main victim and holder of all idiotic recklessness of the Second Giant War managed to forgive you, then they will also find it in their heart to give you another chance"

"They're not you, Percy" Gaea argued weakly, trying to take a step back "I killed hundreds of their offsprings because of something petty as vengeance. I am an enemy. They will murder me right where I stand."

Percy tightened his hand on hers and gave her a firm determined gaze "Then I will be their opponent."

Gaea turned towards her husband for help and saw nothing but support and understanding.

Ouranos bent down and gave her a soft peck on the lips "I will not force you into anything you do not like—Perseus won't force you into anything you do not like. I will support you if you do not tell them on who you are. If you truly do not want this then we will step back and let Perseus handle the rest"

Percy nodded and gave her a reassuring grin "Leave it to me"

Gaea was feeling conflicted. She wants to show herself and not be anxious of the Gods trying to unveil everything about her every second, but on the other, she knew of what was to come if she reveal who she is to the Gods.

She looked at the eyes of Percy, then at her husband who was patiently waiting for her to decide.

Making up her mind, she took a deep breath. She squeezed their hands before letting go and taking a step forward "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Gaea."

The moment the name left her lips, the immortal councillors were crouching in front of their siblings; weapons drawn and out in the open

The Gods were standing from their throne and pointing their weapons of power to the Primordial of Earth

"Gaea" Hera spat from her throne "What have you come here for?"

"Spying on us for the enemy, it seems" Dionysus growled, his purple eyes glowing with malice

Percy stood in front of Gaea who was fighting the urge to tremble before the Gods. She was squeezing Ouranos' hand and her eyes were slowly getting teary

"Stand down" Percy ordered, narrowing his eyes beneath the hood when none of the immortals did as he said

"Stand down? You're asking us to stand down when this monster is right in front of us?!" Thalia glared at the prince, forgetting about respect "She was one of the reasons why most of us lost people important to us. She is an enemy!!"

"She is my sister, Thalia Grace" Percy growled "Despite her misgivings, she is still a family. She has repented for years because of her deeds. Do not judge her based on her history"

"A history that was full of bloodshed and tragedy" Athena spat, grey eyes flaring with the need to take down the being in front of her "She needs to be taken down"

"I told you" Gaea whispered, looking at Percy through teary eyes "They will never forgive me. They loathe my existence"

Percy gritted his teeth when he saw how her sister crumble before him. He saw her thinking back to all those years where she had done every single bad thing just for vengeance.

Gaea was one of the most ruthless and unforgiving back in the days. She was known to have gone insane due to her fallout with her husband. She had once been that, but only after the Second Giant War did she finally realised her mistakes and wrongdoings.

When Gaea was made aware of Percy's existence within the castle, she had all but run to his room to grovel at his feet, asking for forgiveness that she doesn't deserve. She took it upon herself to take care of the hero whom she once called an enemy, took it upon herself to blame herself every moment of the day that she was horrible.

It seems that the trait to blame oneself originated from the roots, and was showing every chance it got through Chaos, Gaea, Kronos, Poseidon and unfortunately, Percy.

Gaea had done everything she can to earn the forgiveness that she already earned from Percy. She became the fourth mother of Percy after Sally, Chaos and Silena.

She took the job of teaching him the basics of being a royal, the things that needs to be done. She taught Percy how to take care of their kingdom. She showed him again how family was everything, and that love can conquer anything. She showed him along with the others that he wasn't weak, and that he was strong. She showed him that he was someone worth loving, and someone who deserves to be happy more than anyone.

She taught him everything that needs to be learned and more.

Gaea became someone so important to Percy— so important that he cannot bear to see her going back to how she was before. He cannot bear to see her blaming herself like he once did to himself because of the jeers and judgement of others.

He just can't...

A wave of rage hit him and he took a deep breath to calm himself. His heart ache when he heard her released a sob and saw her break down in front of everyone, clutching at her husband and muttering her apologies for being horrible and disgusting.

"Brothers, sisters...." Poseidon stood up from his throne "Let us hear her out before we judge"

"I second Poseidon, maybe w—" Hades spoke

"Silence, both of you" Hera growled, her eyes never leaving Gaea "Crying will get you nowhere, Gaea"

"Monster"

"Abomination"

"Disgusting"

"Filthy"

"Enough!!" Apollo stood from his throne, surprising the occupants of the room into silence, and narrowed his eyes at his fellow immortals "Are you not ashamed of the words that is coming out of your mouth? Are you that shameless to insult someone when truly you were no better back in the days? How disgusting can you all be?"

Apollo's words were like bullets piercing through each of the Gods

"We were actually better than her back in the days" Athena spoke, looking at Apollo with a challenging glint in her eyes to to tell her that she was wrong "We didn't manipulate mortals, and never tortured them for some sick purpose"

"We didn't—" Apollo spluttered with disbelief, before he gave a humourless laugh "I'm sorry. Can you please repeat what you just said? We never manipulated anyone? Never tortured anyone?"

Athen was shocked with his outburst and thus, did not have any chance to answer

"Oh my..." Apollo shook his head, while closing his eyes as if he can't even stare at them "I'm surrounded by a bunch of airheads"

Athena's eyes flared and she stood up from her throne, ready to defend her title.

Apollo opened his eyes and the room was shocked to see his normally blue eyes shining a vibrant orange.

"You mean to tell me that Athena did not manipulate the Trojan War by giving Odysseus the idea about the trojan horse? You mean to tell me that Athena did not used Theseus, the son of Poseidon for some sick game because she wants to rub the fact that his son was in love with his nemesis?" Apollo inquired, his eyes burning with rage and disgust "You mean to tell me that none of us cursed more than one mortal because of envy and jealousy? You mean to tell me that Zeus did not just doomed the mother of Perseus who was a queen of someone else's king because he couldn't keep in his pants? You mean to tell me that I did not cursed Orion because of my possessiveness over my sister? You mean to tell me that I did not intervened in the Trojan War to kill Achilles by manipulating Paris' shot because I was just angry at him?"

Apollo was now slowly descending down his throne, all eyes on him.

"You mean to tell all this people that you did not cursed Medusa out of spite and disgust for she was a mortal even though she run to your temple seeking refuge, but did nothing but watch as Poseidon raped her on the cold tile floor of the temple?"

Poseidon winced at the memory, and had looked down in shame. Self-disgust crawling up his spine. He was horrible and evil back in those days. He was a disgusting self-centred pig who only thought of himself.

How could he have done that? Do something as disgusting as force himself onto someone...

"You mean to tell me that you did not cursed Arachne because you lost to a mere mortal? You mean to tell me that Hera did not schemed to kill innocent toddlers just for them being a son of her husband? You mean to tell me that Artemis did not torture men just for them being men back in the days? You mean to tell me that Aphrodite did not play with the feelings of countless mortals just for the fun of it? You mean to tell me that all of us never once played with a human's life before because we couldn't find something entertaining? You mean to tell me that none of us played with someone until they BROKE?!"

Apollo was now standing at the center, blocking Gaea and his eyes showing how furious he was "I thought that we were going to change. I thought that we were not going to jump into conclusions. I thought that we changed."

"I am freaking tired of acting like I'm the dumb one, when truly it is Ares' role" Apollo sighed and glared at the Gods who was still stunned frozen by his actions, at their seats "I am freaking tired of acting like I don't care because truly I do. If you continue being this way, I am gonna fucking kick your asses. You got me?!!"

"Apollo" Percy whispered with awe. The feeling of respect rushing through him as he watched Apollo roast the Olympians right where they stand

"Damn" Ethan whistled

"Burned and crashed to bits" Luke muttered with amusement as he watched the Gods gets smaller and smaller in front of Apollo

"Proud of him" Micheal boasted

Apollo then turned to the campers and narrowed his eyes. He crossed his arms "And you!!"

The campers flinched

"How dare you join in when you didn't even experienced what's it like back in those days!" Apollo took a deep breath "I understand the councillors, but I do not ever want to hear you spout such nonsense when you don't even have the least bit experience of losing someone to war against an enemy!! Do you hear me?!"

The campers straightened and nodded their heads rapidly.

Apollo nodded his head with satisfaction before he turned to Gaea. He gave her a gentle smile, the orange slowly receding back in his eyes as he gave her a curt bow "I'm sorry for the immaturities and dumbness of my fellow Gods... well except Uncle P. and H.— but that's beside the point. I apologize in their behalf and I would be honoured to have you as an ally."

He swiftly turned back and walked back to his throne with his head held high.

Percy found himself smiling. He needs to thank Apollo for that one later.

Percy then turned back to the shameful looking Gods and scowled "Now that Apollo has beaten the sense into you, I would like for you welcome my sister Gaea once again"

Gaea instantly step forward and bowed as low as she can. She straightened and looked at the Olympians and campers nervously "I-I would do my best to be a helpful cause for... for...."

She looked at Ouranos for help and her husband chuckled before stepping forward and slinging his arms over her shoulder and bringing her closer to his side "What my wife meant was that she would be honoured to be your ally and would gladly lend you her help when the time comes. As of now, she would just like to apologize for her mistakes in the past and would like to rekindle by getting to know you better. Isn't that right, love?"

Gaea nodded and gave the Gods a small hesitant smile

When none reacted, Apollo sighed with frustration before slamming his hand down on the arm of his throne "Well...?"

Zeus cleared his throat and forced a smile "We'll be glad to welcome you, Gaea"

Gaea nodded and step back. She understands their hesitancy and wasn't complaining. They made progress, and that's better than nothing at all

Percy smiled before he clapped his hands together to gain their attention "Now that all is cleared, I would be taking my leave now and let you all mingle before my siblings go back."

He turned to the primordials and smiled "Behave"

He disappeared in a flash of light and black.

PERCY

"Mother" I greeted with a smile

Chaos stood from her throne and welcomed me with a hug "How was the meeting?"

"Chaotic" I stated, shrugging the cloak off and handing it to one of the waiting maids; giving her a thankful smile which caused her to blush and look down immediately

"How are things going?" I asked, walking towards the arena, wanting to see whom I can take to add to my battalion

Chaos hummed "All is well. Everyone has been on guard ever since what happened to you, and the soldiers have been training rigorously day and night to gain the chance to battle with you in this war."

I nodded before stopping to greet the guards who opened the door of the arena for us

All training ceased when the doors opened and every soldier in the field straightened before bowing when they saw me and Chaos

I waved a hand for them to stand before walking around, trying to see someone who will peek my interest.

None moved and I raised a brow. How was I suppose to find someone when they're not even moving.

Chaos chuckled beside me and I looked down at her with furrowed brows

"What's so funny?"

Chaos patted me on the arm lightly "Most soldiers in training right now is seeing you up close for the first time, they are too shocked to do anything but stare"

"Oh"

Chaos chuckled "Why don't you greet them?"

I stepped forward and gave them a smile before bowing my head as a greeting "It is nice to see fellow warriors training to protect our kingdom as well as others. Keep up the good work."

The soldiers spluttered and fumbled before they straightened "Yes sir!!"

I smiled at them "Now, please do not mind our presence and continue with training. I would like to see how far you have progressed while I was away"

The soldiers nodded and bowed. Turning to the dummies as they continued what they were doing before we came in

I hummed thoughtfully as I watched them. Not bad, but still lacking. I surveyed the area and my eyes caught two familiar faces and I felt myself smiling brightly

I step off the podium and trudge over to the two boys who managed to catch my interest a few months ago

The soldiers parted for me like I was Moses parting the sea. All of them staring with confusion as I trudge over to the newest recruits

The two boys were too busy talking and correcting the stance of the other that they failed to notice that they were the center of attention at the moment

"Clause Nilean" I spoke up, looking at the boy who was shaking his head and leaning over to shift his friend's stance

The said boy froze and stiffly looked up only to see me grinning at him

"Y-Your H-Highness" Claus stuttered, hastily moving to bow at me but stopped when I placed a hand on his shoulder

He looked up and stared at me with wide eyes

I smiled at him before turning to his friend "Norman Kruseio, was it?"

Norman shut his mouth closed and nodded at me

I cocked my head to the side and gave them both a smile "You finally decided to become one?"

They both nodded "Yes, sir. What you said to us that day inspired us to become a warrior that will protect our people"

"And you won't back out even when you know that your life might be lost while doing that?"

They both shook their heads "There is no better way than to die for our kingdom; protecting people and the place we call home"

The arena was silent, all now watched me interact with the two boys with fascination, yet with a bit of envy in their eyes

I hummed before stepping back and extending my hand to both of them

They looked at me with confused eyes "Your Highness?"

"I like your determination. I want to train the both of you personally" I smiled at them "Are you interested on coming with me to earth to fight for our cause?"

Both boys' mouth dropped open

I raised a brow and grinned at them

"Well...?"

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