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PERCY

I gave a sigh when silence filled the room, looking back down again "I know that you're currently in a state of disbelief, but you have to believe me when I say that me hiding who I am is taking a toll on not just me, but everybody else. I'm tired of trying hide myself. I want to walk around camp without having to wear that damn hood over my face. I... I don't care about what anyone might think of me anymore. I just want to let them know I'm alive. For Void's sake! They're doing my memorial every year!!"

Kronos leaned forward, his brows creasing with worry and concern "This is not about what Athena said about you hiding yourself, right? You know that you don't have to listen to what that bitch says."

"Language!" Chaos chided

Kronos waved a hand "My point is... do you really wish... from the bottom of your heart, that you want to reveal yourself to them. Once you do, there's no turning back"

"You're making it sound like what I'm about to do is a mistake already" I mumbled

Kronos sighed "It's not like that, and you know it"

I bit my lips "I... I just can't keep doing this, you know. I thought I can. I really thought that I can just waltz back here without anyone knowing, then leave without anyone noticing."

"And you can" Kronos squeezed my hand in between his

I shook my head "And you know that I can't. Because of my insecurities and self doubt, everyone can't place their trust on me—on us. Maybe, if seeing that it's me, they'll at least back off"

"I knew it! This is because of what that bitch said to you!!" Kronos growled

"Kronos!" Chaos chided "Mind your language"

"I am minding my language—in my standards, that is"

I gave a chuckle at Chaos' affronted look

"Forget about my choice of words—" Kronos looked at me with intense eyes "Percy, are really sure about this?"

"Why does it sound like you don't want me to reveal myself?" I frowned

"Because I don't"

I gaped at him

Kronos sighed, and raked a hand through his hair "Percy, you know that I worry about you, and your sudden decision just doesn't sit right with me. Especially when a part of your reason is because of that prideful bitch. I want you to show yourself, because you want to, not because you feel obligated to"

I sighed, and reached for his hands which was picking at the end of my blanket "I want to, pappoús. I've been thinking about it for some time now. I mean, it kinda gets tiring with trying to hide every single time. I can't show my face, and I don't even interact with the campers unless necessary. All of my actions up until now, it screams distant. The campers can feel my reluctance to communicate, and the more I shy away from them, the more I attract their curiosity. You know demigods, we're unsatisfied creatures who likes to unfold everything, and me hiding my very identity makes them even more curious, not to mention suspicious. Athena stated the truth that my very existence right now is one big enigma. I don't let anyone in, except the lot of you. I kept to myself, and then BAM! Artemis was suddenly possessed and declaring war against her family. I have made no attempt at trying to make them see that I am an ally. Me showing myself might clear all misunderstandings."

"And so...?" Kronos asked "You have tried to prove yourself countless times. They're just too stubborn to admit it."

"They're just too prideful" Kronos crossed his arms "Let them think what they want to think. They can judge you all they want, their opinions doesn't matter. We're here to help them, and if they cannot accept what boundaries we set, then we simply show them that we do not tolerate people who doesn't know their place."

"That sounded so wrong" I scrunched my face up "It sounded like you were gonna murder them if they ever step out of line"

"And I won't hesitate if need be" Kronos stated, not looking bothered with his admission in the least bit "Chaos herself declared us as allies, yet they are still dissatisfied with it? I think not. We are here to help them win their war, not indulge their curiosities. They don't trust us because we hide ourselves? That's fine. They doubt us because they don't understand us? Then let them think what they want to think. They don't want to put their faith in us because we're someone they don't know? Okay, there's no problem there. We came here to offer help, and if they don't want to accept it, then too bad"

"Pappoús" I groaned

"What? I'm just saying, you know"

"You're not helping"

"I'm stating facts"

"You're still not helping"

"And the Olympians, minus Hades, Hestia, Poseidon; and the twins, along with the campers are ungrateful brats. Glad we're on the same page here"

"We are not—you know, why are we even doing this?"

"I don't know, it's because you think that my opinion doesn't help, when clearly I was just stating facts here"

"Boys!" Chaos interrupted, crossing her arms while looking at us with amusement, tinted with a bit of exasperation "I get it, you're not on the same page about this whole the-campers-and-Gods-are-brats thing, but can we move on and discuss Percy's decision of revealing his self?"

Kronos huffed "Fine. Go on and discuss my precious grandson's doom. Ignore me and my concern and just go on with your conversation like I'm not here, tearing my hair out with worry about Percy's well-being"

I rolled my eyes as Kronos' lip jutted out "Stop pouting."

"I'm not pouting."

"Yes, you are"

Kronos rolled his eyes at me, and just huffed, staying silent while looking at the ground like it did something unforgivable to him

I stared at him, before staring helplessly at Chaos.

I knew he was going to react badly, but not like this.

Chaos shrugged, making me feel even more helpless

I heave a long sigh "Fine" I dragged out "How about this. I reveal myself—no question, but you decide as to how, and when I should do it. That's the only accommodation I can give you"

Kronos stared at me, his golden eyes intense as he looked at me straight in the eyes "You're really going through with this?"

I nodded

"Fine" Kronos stood up "Let's just get this over with. I'll make the preparations."

"Don't overdo it"

He rolled his eyes, before bending down and kissing my brow "It's not my style to exaggerate things, you know that."

I smiled at him "Later"

Kronos stepped back and smiled at me "Later"

Once he was gone, I let out a breath before staring at Chaos

"Well, I should ready myself for my big event"

KRONOS

"Stupid Athena, making my grandson upset" I muttered vehemently as I stalked towards the throne room of Olympus "Stupid grandson, making me me worry. I hate everyone..."

"Father"

I shrieked, before realizing my mistake and clearing my throat, turning around to face Hestia who was looking at me with raised brows

I looked around, making sure nobody heard what was said just now

"Yes, daughter?"

"I just wanted to talk to you about something"

I looked around, and nodded my head. I leaned down "Let's go somewhere more private. I can't let anyone else know that I'm here yet" I whispered

Hestia nodded, whirling around "Let's talk in my palace. No one can disturb us there."

"Are you sure?"

Hestia huffed out a chuckle "Yes, Father. I prefer solitude than buzzing noises, you know that. My palace consists of me, and only me. I hate having servants, makes me feel like..."

I saw her hesitation and knew what she was about to say, and felt myself deflate like a balloon loosing its air "Like me"

Hestia whirled around and clutched my hands in between hers "That's not it. It's just... every time I look at the dryads and naiads at my beck and call, doing everything I can do myself, it makes me feel... lazy. It makes me feel like I'm forgetting that I used to work myself, also. I once have nothing, and I am still adjusting to the life of having everything. I don't take workers, I assist them... and—"

"You're rambling" I pointed out, chuckling a little at her scarlet face

"Never mind, I just wanted to say that I wasn't going to say you, I was going to say 'makes me feel like every typical God who gives the works to those who they think inferior'"

"That's exactly like me" I sulked "I was one who likes abusing his power over others. I let others, who I thought was inferior, work themselves to death. That description fits me"

Hestia sighed heavily "Father, you know that's not what I meant"

I just continued sulking, making her sigh again. Why is everybody against me today? Is it 'pick-on-Kronos-day?'

We were only a few steps from Hestia's palace when her name was called

We both whipped around to see Poseidon jogging towards our direction. I felt myself tense, my hand unconsciously pulling my hood down even more, even though he won't see a thing because of the magic that was coating the hood

"Sister!" Poseidon panted "I've been looking for you. You weren't anywhere near the hearth. Where were you?"

"As you can see—I was with Fa—"

I cleared my throat loudly

"Fa...?" Poseidon tilted his head to the side, raising a brow

Hestia cleared her throat "I was with a... a... a FAWN!! Yes, that's right. I was bonding with those little creatures. Adorable animals, those are... So! Good weather we have today, huh?"

I force myself to not facepalm at my daughter's words. Hestia has never been good at lying, much less diverting a subject.

"Oookay" Poseidon looked at Hestia weirdly "I'm just gonna ignore that. I just wanted to ask you if I can borrow... okay, not borrow, but can you please give me some of those tunic of yours? You know that golden orange one?"

"Sure" Hestia shrugged "Why do you need them?"

"Amphitrite is still mad at me about the issue of me making the sea poisonous. I'm thinking of giving her something, and I once heard her talking about how she likes one of your tunics" Poseidon scratched the back of his neck "I'm thinking of giving it to her after I put some personal touch, you know...?"

Hestia smiled, and patted his shoulder "Of course, brother. That would be no problem. Hold on a minute, and let me get one"

I suppressed a shout of distress when I realized that I was going to be alone with one of my sons while Hestia find those damn tunics.

"So...?" Poseidon started, and I tensed "What's your relationship with my son?"

Oh. Is that jealousy I hear in his voice?

I turned to look at him with raised brows, even though he couldn't see it "Why do you need to know?"

Poseidon shifted uncomfortably, feeling my stare from under the hood "Because... he's my son?"

I felt my lips twitch as the sentence came out as a question more than a statement "He's a very important person to me"

"Important?" Poseidon echoed, furrowing his brows "Can you please elaborate?"

I saw Hestia coming from the corner of my eyes, and decided to be play with the God "He's mine."

Poseidon gaped at me, mouth opening and closing as if trying to comprehend what I just said.

I suppressed a smirk. Technically, I wasn't really lying about Perseus being mine, since some of my blood flow inside his veins. He is my child, much like Poseidon and his siblings are my children... just not that directly.

"Here you go, brother!!" Hestia handed the tunics to a still gaping Poseidon

"You... you..." Poseidon stuttered

I hummed "Me? What about me?"

"W-What d-did you—"

"Brother, are you okay?" Hestia glanced at Poseidon "You look quite pale"

I bit my lips to stop myself from laughing. Chaos! He's reaction is priceless! It looks like he would stumble and faint any moment now.

"Y-Yeah" Poseidon croaked out "I'm fine."

"Well, best be on your way" Hestia smiled "Good luck on reconciling with Amphitrite"

I gave him a sweet smile, and fluttered my fingers at him as goodbye "Yeah, better not keep your wife waiting"

Poseidon seemed to snap out of whatever shock he was in because he's face reddened. He pointed his fingers at me threateningly "We'll continue this conversation later" he hissed

I raised a brow, not in the least bit threatened as he marched away

"What did you do?" Hestia crossed her arms, and glanced at me with a raised brow

"What makes you think I did something?" I asked innocently

"Father"

I sighed, and pouted "Why are you angry? I just wanted to play with him for a bit since I was feeling down."

"I'm not angry" Hestia rolled her eyes, turning back to her palace "I just want to know what you did to make Poseidon that upset"

I followed her, and grinned cheekily "I told him that Perseus was mine"

Hestia whirled around, staring at me with wide eyes "You said what?!"

"I said—"

"I heard you the first time" Hestia dragged me insider her palace, and then turned to me once we were safely inside "Is it true?"

"What is true?"

"About Percy being yours" Hestia hissed, smacking me on the arm

"Ow!" I rubbed the arm that was smacked, and pouted "I swear you're getting violent with me each day. Is this your suppressed grudge to me surfacing?"

"Just answer the question!"

"If we are talking about Perseus being my lover, then, no. Of course not! He's my grandson, you know! That's... very disturbing!!"

"No one would be too surprised if you did take young Perseus to be your lover. He's lovable, after all. We're talking about our family here, Father" Hestia rolled her eyes

I waved a dismissive hand "I meant it in a Fatherly way. I basically raised Perseus when he came into the palace. He's my son, as much as he is Poseidon's. It's not my fault that Poseidon took it in that way."

"I bet you phrased it in a lewd way" Hestia huffed

"Hey!" I glared at her sulkily "I thought that you wanted to talk to me about something serious. Did you just want to bully me?"

Hestia just rolled her eyes at me, before grasping my wrist and dragging me to a couch, settling down in front of me once I was seated

"What?" I grunted when she just keep staring at me

"When are you planning to tell the others?"

I froze, getting what she meant instantly. I looked away from her suddenly feeling uncomfortable, the good atmosphere turning tense in a millisecond "When I think that it's time"

"When is that exactly?" Hestia raised a brow

"I don't know"

Hestia sighed "You've been saying that to me every time I ask this. You do do know that the more you hesitate, the harder it'll be, right?"

"I can't help it!" I took a shuddering breath "Not everyone is forgiving, daughter. I, myself loathe my existence. I did something horrible to my family, and I couldn't even find the strength to fight back when you were all imprisoned inside me."

"You told me that it wasn't you" Hestia stood up from where she was sitting in front of me to sit down beside me "You explained to me that you never wanted those to happen. You did your very best, but we can't help it if it wasn't enough. What matters is who you are right now, not who you were in the past"

"No matter how many times I tell myself that, I can't just bring myself to fully believe it" I felt my eyes watering "I was the King of Othrys. I managed to vanquish my Father from his throne on land, and I couldn't even fight off a damn dark persona? What in the name of Chaos is up with that?"

"Father..."

"The truth is, maybe I wasn't really trying. Maybe... maybe I was truly evil that wanted to destroy what family I managed to create. I'm a horrible person."

Sobs racked my body, as I bent over and hid my face on my palms

"Are we always going to repeat this same cycle" Hestia sighed, rubbing my back comfortingly "I ask when you're going to reveal yourself to my siblings, you not knowing when; and then succumbing to such depressing thoughts, and me trying to snap you out of whatever thought that's circling inside that head of yours, and then finally you leaving and asking for some space..."

I stared at her, surprise by the scowl marring her gentle features

"I get it, you did something incredibly disgusting. I get that you hate yourself because you weren't strong enough to protect us, but listen to me when I say this—you are not a failure. You are just a person who tried his best to protect his family, but just lost in the end. It can't be help that the one you were fighting with was someone stronger than you. You need to stop thinking that you failed your duty as a Father, when truly you did not. Think of it this way, eating us was kind of the easy way to make sure you stay on the throne. If you weren't fighting so damn hard to protect us, then the you in the past would have killed us since that would truly ensure your victory over us. In a way, you did protect us. So, please stop those thoughts and listen to me before I show you that I am truly mother Rhea's daughter. Besides, what is there to loathe? As much as my eyes can see, you are a wonderful Father who risked himself by showing his self to me in the middle of Olympus where everyone can rush towards me if I had screamed for help—just because you wanted to let me know that you truly care for us" Hestia finished, looking quite satisfied with her speech

I let out a chuckle at her expression, and patted her head softly "Thank you for that, Hestia. I needed that"

"Anything for you, Father" Hestia smiled back "Now, when are you going to tell my siblings?"

I groaned

-+-+-+-+-+-

"So... how are we going to do this?" Percy asked

"I honestly don't know" I admitted, looking back at him

"I told you that you were the one in charge!!"

"Why did you even put all the responsibilities to me?!" I huffed "You're the one who is going to push down his hood, not me. Why do I get the work?"

"Uh... because I wanted to appease you?"

"Dumping work on me is not a very nice appeasement!!"

"You agreed a few hours ago!!"

"I did not!! I only said that I'm going to make preparations!!" I crossed my arms

"That's the same thing!" Percy looked exasperated

"No, they're not!!"

"Stop shouting!"

"You stop shouting!!"

"Ladies... ladies..." Luke held up a hand, standing between us "We get it. I'm handsome, and you're not, but can we please settle this peacefully? No... silently?"

"Why are you shouting at each other anyways?" Ethan flipped through a magazine, looking bored

"Kronos is just being a baby" Percy huffed

"About what?" Michael raised a brow

"About me putting my hood down" Percy simply answered

Silence followed, before everyone erupted into chaos

"What the Chaos, dude?!" Luke exclaimed "When were you going to tell us?"

"When I revealed myself today"

"Today?!" Michael looked close to fainting

"What the fuck are you thinking?!" I'm pretty sure, everyone knows who yelled that

"Ethan!!" Silena chided "Mind your language!"

"I'm minding it!! Just not in your standards..."

"I don't see the point of you fussing over my decision" Percy grunted out

"We're fine with your decision, Perce" Beckendorf rubbed a hand over his brow "But a little heads up would have been nice. You planned on keeping this from us?"

The tone sounded so hurt, that Percy looked down, guilt flashing across his face "I'm sorry"

"It's fine" Beckendorf sighed

Percy drooped even lower "Sorry"

"It's really fine, Percy" Beckendorf patted him on the back

"It's not" He whined "I'm sorry"

"It's okay" Beckendorf chuckled "Just promise me to never do it again"

"I promise"

I stifled a laugh at the look on Percy's face. He looks like his Father just scolded him for something he shouldn't have done.

Percy caught my eye and he glared at me. I stuck my tongue out at him, making him huff and roll his eyes

"So... about this whole revealing thing" Bianca spoke up "How are you gonna do that?"

"I don't know" Percy admitted "I mean I can't just waltz out there, pull my hood down and say 'hey, I'm really Percy and I'm sorry for not saying anything to you because I was too afraid to see you with my hood down. So, why don't we just forget about all this and celebrate?!' then smile"

"Well, you can do that" Ethan pointed out

Percy glared "I can't. It's not that simple"

"Then don't go through with your plan. Easy." Ethan rolled his eyes

"I'm going to gouge out that eye mother made for you" Percy huffed

Ethan's hand flew to his new eye, before he put it down and glared at Percy "Don't even dare"

"I won't even dare. That's disgusting" Percy rolled his eyes

I sighed, looking at how stressed Percy looked "Why don't you just do it the way you did it when you showed yourself to Artemis?"

"That would be a good idea, but I'm the only one revealing myself."

"Then why not just reveal all your identity?" I stressed out, rolling my eyes "It won't make a difference, anyways. Besides, seeing you would be the most shocking thing that'll happen today. The others won't get that much problem besides their parents."

"You... got a point" Percy nodded

"I always makes a point"

"Uh..." Luke raised his hand "Are you forgetting on asking us if we want to do the same thing as he's doing? For all you know, we might not want to do it."

"Well, do you want to or do you not want to?" I raised a brow

Luke pursed his lips

"Well then, let me make the decision for you. You'll do it"

"You can't do that!!" Luke whined, looking at his friends for help "You guys don't want to, right?"

"Honestly, I feel that laying it all down in one go would be better than us revealing ourselves one-by-one" Zoe stated

"Aren't you... I don't know, anxious about all this?" Luke asked

"No. I don't have any reasons to feel nervous about" Zoe shrugged

"Well, I do!!" Luke exclaimed, turning to Ethan "Help me out, dude."

"Sorry, bro" Ethan shrugged "I honestly don't care what happens as long as we can finish this war peacefully on our side. It's too chaotic, and with the doubt placed on us, we might as well shove the truth down their throats to make them back off"

"Do I even have any allies here?!"

"Can't we just get this over with?" Bianca sighed "Because no matter how we make this a big of a deal, it's a small problem compared to thinking on how to take down End"

"...Well, you got a point, but what if they react negatively?" Luke so worried that I felt a tad bit bad for him

"Then they can go and kiss their own asses" Ethan deadpanned "We're revealing ourselves to lessen the tension, and their curiosity as to who we are. If they can't be satisfied with that, then they can go and fuck theirselves"

"Ethan!!" Silena chided

"Whatever" Ethan waved a dismissive hand "Can't we just get this over with? I want to go back to thinking of how to solve our big problem, and go back to our home as soon as possible"

Luke still looked uncertain, but agreed nonetheless

"All in?" Percy asked, grinning from ear to ear

The Elites nodded, making Percy beam

"Then, let's do this!!"

-+-+-+-+-+-

"I change my mind, let's not do this" Percy begged as we stopped in front of the throne room, after calling an immediate meeting which had all campers and Gods tripping over their feet to rush towards the throne room

I rolled my eyes "You wanted to do this. No backing out now"

"I'm afraid" Percy whispered to me

"Of what?" I asked softly, knowing that this was no time to joke around

"You know of my current condition" Percy gripped my shirt in his hands, looking terrified all of a sudden "What if I explode and smack them all in their faces because of what they've done to me?"

I couldn't help myself "Then good job"

"Gramps!!" Percy hissed "Not the time!"

"I'm not kidding with you" I stared at him dead in the eyes "What they put you through is beyond terrible. They broke you so hard that we had a hard time fixing you. Despite all our efforts, I know that some part of you is forever broken, and just thinking about it maddens me. Don't be mistaken, I love all my children, but they had broken my trust the moment I saw you again in the palace."

Percy stared at me, and I stared back

"It's good that the two of you are bonding and all that shit, but can we please get this over with?" Ethan grunted from behind us

"Why the Chaos are you so excited into doing this?" I grumbled, as I gesture for Percy to go and line up with the others "I'm starting to feel like you have some ulterior motives."

Ethan huffed "I don't. I just want to get this over with."

"Then since you're so eager, why don't you go first?" I scowled

"Gladly"

Ethan strode forward, and slammed the doors open, silencing the chattering and engulfing the whole room with tension as he strode forward with confidence

"I'm so going to get this on camera" Luke whispered, eyes wide with excitement as he whipped out a camera

Ethan stopped in front of the Gods, and crossed his arms "I bet that you all are curious as to why we suddenly called you here..."

Everyone nodded

Ethan gave a satisfied nod "We're here because of your idiot-of-a-Wisdom-Goddess brought up the idea that maybe we should heed her so-called advice—no, accusation of us being enemies because we're always hiding beneath our hoods..."

Everyone was leaning forward now, anticipation thrumming inside them

"And before we forego with this, let me just say that we will never forgive you Gods for your idiocy of believing that useless Goddess. Specifically you, Athena. You better keep your eyes open for this. This is is happening because of you, you fucking bitch"

Athena cowered under the menacing aura of Ethan

"What's gotten into him?" Percy whispered, worry clear in voice

"I think it's because he found out a few days ago that one of his siblings were killed because of the Gods—Athena specifically" Zoe explained

"The poor girl died because she shielded Athena. Athena was careless, and a monster almost stabbed her with a bronze metal, but the girl put her body between hers and the monster. The girl got stabbed instead. Instant death." Bianca continued "Instead of mourning, and feeling remorse, Athena scoffed at how idiotic the girl was..."

"Disgusting, really" Beckendorf shook his head

"She's in my top hate list" Silena added

"I despise her" Michael scowled

"Oh" Percy muttered, eyes darkening

Ethan grasped both side of his hood, before he pushed it down.

"Since the lot of you don't know who I am, I'm Ethan Nakamura, a child of Nemesis" Ethan offhandedly introduced, eyes never leaving Athena

"He's going to hit her" Michael commented

"Good" Zoe crossed her arms "That will teach her a lesson"

"Aren't you supposed to protect maidens?" Percy raised a brow, but not moving an inch to stop Ethan

"I am" Zoe nodded "But maidens like her doesn't deserve protection"

Ethan surged forward, suddenly growing the same height as the Gods as he leaped towards Athena

The Gods gasped and tried to shield Athena, but were stopped my some unknown force, pinning them down to their thrones

Artemis, and Apollo, along with Hades, Hestia and Poseidon—weren't moving. They knew that Athena was going to receive the punishment she deserved for spitting upon a girl who sacrificed her life in order to save hers.

"This is for Elena" Ethan hissed, slapping Athena hard across the face "This is for scoffing at her death." Another hit "And this is for being a good-for-nothing Goddess who doesn't even know how to feel thankful for someone who laid down her life in order to save yours!!"

The last hit had me cringing. Even without feeling it, I knew that it hurt like hell. Every sound proves it.

Ethan backed away, and shrunk to normal size, breathing heavily. His eyes never straying from Athena's teary ones "Remember this well Goddess. The moment you spat on my sister's dead body, you made an enemy."

He strode out of the stunned room with a muttered 'I need to cool off for a bit' to us

Utter silence followed Ethan's exit, and I sighed as I strode forward

"So... continuing on..." I gestured for Zoe, and Bianca to move forward "We have this two ladies who can't wait to show you who they are"

Both former hunters strode forward, and I suppressed an eye roll when I heard Michael muttering that no one can top Ethan's reveal.

"Ladies... whenever you're ready" I took a step back

Bianca and Zoe both pulled down their hoods, ignoring the gasps of shock from the councillors, and hunters

Artemis smiled at Zoe, and Zoe smiled back as some of the oldest hunters dashed forward to embrace her tightly

Hades and Nico was stunned still, both onyx eyes wide with shock. Nico took a step forward, but Bianca raised a hand

"I prefer for you to not touch me at the moment. I am still quite angry about your actions towards Percy. The person who took care of you when I couldn't... honestly, Nico. I am so disappointed in you" Bianca smiled at his Father as a greeting, receiving a bright smile in return, shocking the room once again as everyone saw Hades smile so widely for the first time

Nico, on the other hand, looked crushed "Bia—"

"We'll talk about this later" Bianca cut him off, barely looking at him

Nico looked ready to cry, but nodded nonetheless

"I kinda feel bad for him" Percy muttered

The others hummed in agreement as they saw Nico retreating to the far back with his head hanging low

Silena, Michael, and Beckendorf walked forward as one.

They simultaneously pushed back their hood, revealing their smiling faces

"Hey, Dad" Beckendorf smiled at the wide eyed Blacksmith God "S'been a while..."

"Beckendorf..." Hephaestus breathed out, eyes misting a bit

"Silena!!" Aphrodite jumped off her throne, dashing to her daughter to engulf her in a hug "My precious baby!!"

Silena just softly smiled as she hugged her crying mother "Hi, Mom"

Michael grinned at his shocked brother who was standing with his mouth wide open "Close your mouth, Willy Will. Flies might fly in there..."

"Mikey..." Will's eyes teared up as he dashed towards his older brother, jumping him with his arms spread open

Michael laughed as he caught him and spun him around. He stopped and hugged his brother close to him "I miss you too, buddy"

A flash erupted and both looked towards their Dad who has his phone raised, and the camera lens aimed at them

"What?" Apollo grunted "It was a reunion of my precious boys. I had to get it on cam!"

I pushed Luke forward when I saw him inching towards the door slowly "You can do it" I whispered

"Easy for you to say" Luke hissed, sweating like a bullet "You're not the one who almost destroyed Olympus, and is seen as a traitor!!"

"You're an honored hero, Luke" Percy butted in "They'll be happy to see you..."

Luke stared at Percy long and hard, trying to gather the courage to march up front and pull down his hood

"You can do this" Percy whispered, smiling encouragingly

Luke took a deep breath, before letting it out in one long sigh "Okay! I can do this!"

"That's the spirit" Percy smiled, clapping Luke on the back "Now go there and shock the hell out of them!"

Luke squared up his shoulders, marching forward stiffly, but with a purpose set in mind

He stopped in front of his Father's throne, and took deep calming breaths. He shakily grasped both side of his hood, and hesitantly flipped it down

Hermes gasped in shock as he leaped forward, shrinking in size as he took a shaky step towards Luke "Son...?"

Luke managed a shaky smile on return "H-Hey, Dad"

Hermes engulfed him a hug all the while muttering about how sorry he was, and that he was glad to see him again, and so on and so on.

Thalia took a step forward, hands raised slightly as if wanting to hug Luke as well, but took a step back to let the Father and son reunite properly

Percy was the only one left, and I squeezed his hand reassuringly as he muttered encouragements to himself

"You don't have to do this" I whispered

"I need to" Percy murmured back

"Whenever you're ready" I smiled at him, squeezing his hand again, catching Poseidon's eyes. He narrowed his eyes at our joined hands, and I raised a brow.

What's his problem?

Then it clicked. Ah... the thing that I said to him

I let out a small chuckle before deciding to play with him again.

I brought Percy closer, and grinned at him

Poseidon tightened his hand on his trident, gaze narrowing into slits as he scowled at me

I decided to step it up a notch, leaning down to kiss Percy on his forehead, mouth tilting in a smirk as my son silently fumed in his throne

"What're you doing?" Percy pushed me away, frowning

"Nothing" I felt a laugh bubbling out of me, as I can practically see steam coming out of Poseidon's ears as he glared at me "Nothing at all"

"I'm ready" Percy announced

I looked away from my fuming son, and stared at Percy

"Can you please... come with me?" Percy asked, eyes begging me

I smiled, and then lead him forward gently "Whenever you're ready"

Percy squeezed my hand one last time before letting go to grasped his hood tightly

Everyone was silent, all eager to see who was underneath the hood. To finally meet the prince of the universe without his hood.

Percy took a deep breath before pulling it down

Gasps rang all over the throne room as Percy smiled stiffly

"Hey..."