Chapter 7: Percy

An hour and several near misses with mortals later they reached the lobby of the empire state building. As Hades had said he had indeed solidified when he'd gotten outside which, as it turned out, had caused more problems than it had solved. The primary problem was that he was in New York and a crowded pavement is not the ideal place to be when people who would normally push past you instead just pass through you. Luckily anyone who tried either didn't notice or were too busy to care that they never made contact. Once, whilst walking through central park a stray football had passed clean through his chest and he and Annabeth had to bolt when this caused quite a bit of staring, and when he'd walked through a parked taxi on the corner of West 38th he'd been sure that he'd blown it. Fortunately only Annabeth and one very startled Dalmatian seemed to notice. The worst part of appearing solid though was that if he put his hand next to Annabeth's he could almost believe he was alive again, just your average demigod walking hand in hand with his gorgeous girlfriend through downtown Manhattan. This wasn't the case though, and Percy had resigned himself to the fact that it probably never would be again.

"2 to the 600th floor please, I have an appointment" Percy told the bald man behind the desk. At first he didn't look up and Percy wondered if he was in fact asleep. Then he looked up at Annabeth and an amused smirk appeared on his face, until he glanced at Percy and he was satisfied to see the man's eyes widen in fear. To the guard's credit he quickly regained his composure.
"There is no 600th floor kid, you need to see a doctor you look real pale"
Percy was already beginning to lose his temper "come on Ian are we going to go through this stupid process every time? I have an appointment with the council in 30 minutes, Annabeth is with me, and" he added lowering his voice and leaning through the counter "do you really want a ghost hanging out in your lobby? I could float through a couple of walls and scare some mortals if you'd prefer?"
The doorman's face went pale "Alright, alright keep yer voice down would ya?" he pulled a green key card from behind his desk "you know the drill, make sure no one is in there with ya blah blah blah" he made to hand it to Percy but then seemed to remember that he was incorporeal and instead handed it to Annabeth. "Good luck. I hope your promotion turns out all right" it sounded like such a normal reassurance that Percy began to laugh at the absurdity of it. A maniacal laugh that caused more than one or two heads in the lobby to turn and look at him curiously, and Annabeth stepped away from him slightly. They reached the lift and Annabeth slid the card into the slot. The elevator doors slid shut sealing them off from the rest of the world.

As they made their way through the streets and boulevards of Olympus Annabeth slowed her pace and began gazing around, as she always did when he'd seen her here. Of course it had been her who'd spent the last two years redesigning the city after Cronus had nearly levelled it during the last titan war. At one time Percy would have been awed by the intricate facades and exquisite columned temples and palaces around him but now everything seemed as dull and depressing as Hades' Obsidian fortress in the underworld.
"Come on Annabeth" he said over his shoulder without slowing "You can make some minute change to the public baths later" he could feel her anger at his comment but didn't look back and soon he heard her running to catch up.
"What is with you?" she asked as they approached the throne room "anyone else would be Psyched at a chance to cheat death"
"But I didn't cheat death did I?" he said bitterly. When she didn't reply he looked at her and saw tears glistening in the corner of her eyes again "I'm sorry, it's just this is huge and I don't know if I can do it" he apologised instinctively reaching for her hand then remembering that it wouldn't do any good.
Annabeth didn't notice but said "you'll be fine. The greatest god Olympus has ever known, even if your head is full of kelp!"

Her compliments made Percy feel better but they still didn't him any less nervous. They continued on and soon were approaching the massive double doors of the throne room; even from there he could hear the sound of voices inside.
"They won't give me anything special you know. I mean they're hardly going to grant me massive power" the gods we're so tight fisted and paranoid he was actually surprised they were doing this at all.
"Whatever power they grant you, you'll still be a great god" she glanced at the time on her phone and said "we should get in there or we'll be late. We've only got 2 minutes."

The Council fell silent as they entered the room and all eyes turned on them. Percy suddenly felt small and insignificant surrounded by so many powerful beings. Every god in the room was staring at them; even Dionysus had forsaken his usual bored slouch and was sitting upright on his grape vine throne. In fact, Percy noticed he looked worried. As they made their slow way towards Zeus' throne at the end of the chamber Percy noticed that the Olympians weren't the only beings present. Hades sat to Zeus' right on his throne of bones, his helm of darkness resting in his lap and Mrs Dodds the Fury perched behind him. Percy noted how disappointed she looked and couldn't help a grim smile creeping onto his face. The council of cloven elders stood near Dionysus, and Percy's spirits rose when he spotted Grover who grinned and bowed deeply clearly displaying the horns atop his head. He wanted desperately to go and talk to him, give him a high five and ask how he'd been doing the past two years, anything to feel normal, but he couldn't exactly do that now. He was delighted to see Thalia standing next to Artemis' throne, hands in the small of her back like she was on a parade ground, but as they approached she looked over at them and smiled slightly her electric blue eyes glistening. Finally the two of them reached the head of the chamber, bowed their heads to Zeus and waited.

"Welcome Perseus Jackson" Zeus said spreading his hands "We are pleased to see that you have not changed your mind and have decided to accept our second generous offer" Percy glanced around the chamber and noted that one or two of the Gods didn't look all that pleased.
He turned back as Poseidon sat forward "Do you wish to undertake this change Percy?" Suddenly unsure he looked at Annabeth who nodded almost imperceptibly. Heartened he turned back to the Sea God and said clearly "Yes father I do"
"Then step forth my son and let us begin" Annabeth moved away to her mother's throne where she stood next to Thalia, still beside Artemis. Although she didn't adopt such a rigid posture Percy could still see that see was tense.
"Perseus" Zeus commanded "step forth!" He shook himself and did so, kneeling directly in front of the Lord of the Sky who began to speak in ancient Greek "We are gathered here today to offer our gift to Perseus Jackson, saviour of Olympus. He has shown great power and skill in his deeds and has shown Loyalty and compassion in all else that he did. If not for him we would all be confined to the depths of Tartarus and the Titans would rule. We owe this boy a great debt. Are we all in agreement that this boy is deserving?"

Each of the Gods gave their consent with much praise for Percy, Artemis smiled kindly and Apollo took his headphone out long enough to agree and give Percy two thumbs up, even Hephaestus grunted approval and smiled slightly behind his massive shaggy beard. Eventually all of the Gods had agreed, all that is apart from two. Ares and Hades both had remained silent. Hades' sat motionless his expression unreadable which made Percy far more nervous than Ares whose stare of anger and loathing wasn't difficult to interpret.
Eventually Hades stirred sitting up straighter in his throne and glaring at Percy "I do not approve of this. No such thing has ever been done before and certainly not for someone who has barley entered adulthood. "
"What of Dionysus?" asked Artemis gesturing to the wine God "He was a mortal granted godhood and even a place on this council."
"That's different!" Hades roared.
"How so?" Artemis asked her demeanour remaining calm but an edge of steel creeping into her voice "other than the deeds in question I see little difference"
"Well" said hades "not to put to finer point on it Dionysus wasn't already DEAD" he spat the last word like an insult and Percy couldn't help flinching. He had a point.
Artemis retained a calm posture and tone of voice as she responded but her eyes glowed solid silver and her hand moved toward the bow beside her throne.
"If anything this should make things easier. Everyone in the mortal world already knows of his death and as such no-one will miss him once the change is complete"
Artemis stopped abruptly when she heard a sob from below and realised what she had just said.
"Oh. I am sorry my dear" she apologised to Annabeth, for of course it had been her "This must be hard enough for you as it is."
Percy wanted to get up and comfort Annabeth but didn't dare move for fear of causing deadly insult, and anyway his was still ethereal and couldn't do much more than make things worse.

"Enough" said Zeus though not unkindly "Let us return our attention to the matter at hand". All focus returned to him. Again he began to speak in ancient Greek repeating the process. This time Ares consented without pause, but if anything this made Percy more nervous, as did the wicked grin that had spread across the war God's face. Hades was still reluctant but he too consented under the glare of both his brothers.
Then Poseidon turned to Percy "And you Perseus, my son. Will you surrender the ties of your old life and accept the gift of godhood?"
Now there's a question and a half thought Percy last chance, decide now. He glanced to his right and wished he hadn't because what he saw made him nearly change his mind.
"Yes" he said quickly. Then with more composure "I accept." There was a resounding BOOM and Percy could have sworn the floor shook.
"Then all that remains" said Poseidon "is for you to decide on your spheres."
Percy had thought there was nothing left that could surprise him but this caught him. The last thing he had expected would be to choose what he would have power over.
"Well I…That is..umm" He stopped himself, babbling did not look very godlike.
"May I make a suggestion?" asked Athena. It was the first time she had spoken other than to give her consent. "It may be wise to consider carefully that which you have already mastered as a mortal as well as what you had accomplished during your brief span on Earth."

Percy was still confused but he considered it. "Well I'm comfortable in my control over water."
"And?" prompted the goddess.
"Well swordplay has always been a strongpoint of mine" continued Percy growing more confident "and as to achievements I've saved camp-half blood more times than I can be bothered to remember."
Athena rolled her eyes "and modest too. You're definitely your father's son."
Zeus chuckled it was the first time Percy had ever heard levity from the Lord of the Sky. "Well based on those criteria. I do believe we have an opening, eh Brother?"
"Indeed" agreed Poseidon "How does Perseus: God of tides and Patron God of Heroes strike you eh son?"
Percy felt the wind knocked from his metaphorical gut. God of Tides? And Patron of Heroes too! That was no minor position.
He could barely speak but took a deep shaky breath and said "I would be honoured to receive such a position" a little formal but at this stage better to be safe than sea god leaned back satisfied and looked to his brother to continue.
"Then without further delay" began Zeus "I Zeus Lord of the Sky and King of the Gods Pronounce you Perseus God of tides and. . ."

He never finished the proclamation as at that moment the doors to the throne room flew open and all heads snapped around to see three old ladies on what looked like mobility scooters came wheeling into the chamber. Percy recognised them immediately, Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos, the three fates. (Percy had read up on his mythology after Annabeth said that she was fed up of getting him out of difficult situations because he didn't know what he was doing.) Three decrepit old hags that even the gods dared not argue with. Percy watched in silence as the three rolled to the head of the chamber pulling up next to Zeus' throne. Atropos beckoned to the God with a bony finger who bent to listen. As the Fate spoke the sky God turned whiter than the clouds he commanded and he appeared to shrink ever so slightly in his throne.

Eventually he returned to an upright position, stiff and pale and looking completely terrified. "Well" he said his voice high and breathless like he had been the victim of a Godley gut-punch. "The fates it appears have seen what must be and so the boy's future is decided."
Poseidon was suddenly suspicious, and Hades demeanour changed from silent seething to hopeful interest.
"What is it brother?" they both asked. They didn't ask anything else when Zeus didn't respond. Apparently the look of shock on their brother's face was enough answer.
Percy couldn't take it anymore "What's wrong now!" he yelled. The only response he got from this outburst was Zeus staring at him. But not with anger so much as fear. Without a word the Fates wrenched their scooters around and rolled out of the chamber.

"The council must deliberate" Zeus said abruptly "Leave, wait outside" Even the other council members were surprised.
"What?" Percy asked "Why?"
"LEAVE" thundered the sky god. None of the Mortals in the chamber needed telling a third time. They all turned and ran from the chamber, hooves clacking and feet scrabbling on the marble floor as Thalia, Annabeth and the Satyrs vacated the chamber at speed. Percy lingered for a second, but only a second as Zeus wrapped a hand around his lightning bolt.
What followed was the group standing nervously outside the doors to the throne room and the muffled sounds of Gods yelling. At one point there was a loud boom and the room shook, apparently some of the council didn't agree with what the fates had said. Eventually the doors opened and the group filed cautiously back inside.

The mood of the council had completely changed, Dionysus had his head cradled in his hands, Ares was so angry the sunglasses had melted off his face and the fire in his eyes was scorching his eyebrows, Artemis and Apollo looked a little scared and were staring at each other across the throne room, but at least they didn't look ready to incinerate him, Demeter wore a similar expression. Hephaestus' beard was blazing like a bush fire and his arms were folded, Athena had paled but when Percy looked at her she gave him a tiny smile. Of all the council though it was Aphrodite's expression scared him the most because it wasn't angry, scared, uncertain or even impassive, she was staring at him amorously her eyes never leaving him as he moved back to the head of the chamber. Zeus still looked dumbfounded and Hera wore much the same expression. Hades was back to fuming silently but now a black corona surrounded him which told Percy he was one pissed off immortal. Then he saw Poseidon's expression and his hypothetical heart skipped an imaginary beat. The God of the sea was smiling kindly and had such a fiery pride in his eyes that Percy felt suddenly safe, happy and petrified all in the space of a second.

He knelt once more at the head of the throne room.
This time though it was Poseidon who spoke first "Well my boy this is indeed a momentous day and I look forward to being your mentor as well as your father. I just hope you're up to it." The sound of his brother's voice seemed to shake the Lord of the sky out of his stupor.
"I…that is…um" the god stopped took several deep breaths and then spoke, his voice layered with power. "I Zeus Lord of the Sky and King of the Gods hereby name you Perseus, God of tides, Patron to heroes and" he paused for less than a second "Lord of time!" Percy would have yelped with surprise but the words knocked him for six and he couldn't do much more than shake. It didn't matter though as Annabeth and Thalia both yelped at the same moment and Grover collapsed in shock.

Before anything else could happen a symbol appeared over Percy's head high in the chamber, at eye level with the gods; a golden hourglass but instead of sand it appeared to be filled with water. Then he began to float upward toward the huge hologram. He looked down and saw his friends below Annabeth staring at him with her hands covering her mouth and Thalia watching intently whilst rapidly fanning an unconscious Grover in an attempt to revive him. As he passed into the hologram he looked back up into the face of Zeus and had two thoughts.
The first was now I know what got him so spooked, and the second weirdly was, Does being turned into a God hurt?

Not so weird as it turned out because then the burning started.

There you have it readers. That must have been about as far as I got before something else drew away my attention and I forgot this existed. The only other thing is a partially completed chapter 8. If you liked this though and don't think it was in fact a pile of centaur excrement let me know and I may make an attempt to finish it.

Please read and review. Thankyou.

Athena's Wisdom to you.

-Athena'sPride95