1Percy stood there in the centre of the amphitheatre lamenting the consequences of this new development. His awareness was brought back by the trotting of Chiron's hooves approaching. Looking up at the heavy gaze of the immortal trainer Percy could not help but feel rage.
Not to Chiron. Not to his Father. Not to himself. But the Fates. Ok, well maybe a little at himself. He hated how powerless this made him feel. He had denied immortality and yet… something had happened.
Percy did not know exactly what the appearance of ichor in his blood meant but he was aware it did not bode well for him. Frankly, he was always aware as a demigod that there was ichor in his blood. But never before had he heard of golden flecks of it appearing in a demi-god's blood.
Breaking out of his contemplation, he observed his position on Chiron's back and realized he was placed there and they were on path to the big house. He allowed himself this moment of calm before the storm as his gut twisted in …well Percy didn't quite know.
Gracefully, dismounting Chiron he allowed himself to be pushed into an empty room containing only two chairs and Dionysus who was occupying one. Observing the God, Percy deciphered pity in his eyes and sat down in the only available chair.
Ignoring the sound of Chiron settling himself on the ground, he began a staring match with one of the few demigods turned Gods.
Finally, Dionysus broke the staring match first and waved his hand, summoning a glass of wine. Thunder rumbled in warning but the god of wine did not pay his father heed as he silently passed the glass to Percy.
Absently twirling the liquid in the glass, Percy ignored his beating heart and began to speak. "Mr.D, what.. What does this mean?"
Noticing Dionysus' eyes crinkle with sympathy, Percy downed the glass of wine and awaited the response.
"Ascendance," the God began quietly refilling the glass. "Ascendance to Godhood. Your soul is preparing itself to become fully divine".
"Can it be stopped?" Percy questioned not hiding the desperation.
"Not for you it- do not interrupt me Perseus" the God commanded sternly.
The use of his first name startled Percy from making a comeback before the immortal began again.
"It is already too late. When a mortal ascends, the soul must prepare itself to release its mortal attachments and its need to be bathed in the Lethe and rebirthed. It distances the eventual call of the underworld and broadens to accept responsibility for a domain or domains. To encompass groups of people and to split your form. If you were only beginning to ascend this would be fine but-"
However Percy interrupted as he could no longer contain his questions "I only noticed today though- I thought tha-"
"Perseus" Dionysus cut him off, not bothering to reprimand his insolence as he observed the demigod who appeared moments away from breaking into hysteria.
"You have just noticed, yes. Ascendance takes years and if spotted early can be stopped. However, now noticing is not equivalent to now beginning. The Golden flecks of ichor is the second to last step. This is when the soul is as divine as it can be in a mortal body and begins converting blood to ichor. After this is done, it will break through the mortal shell, and you will be a full God."
"You have always been uncommonly powerful for a demigod," Chiron added.
Nodding, Dionysus continued, "We must not have noticed the signs as we simply thought Fate gave you enough power to fulfil the prophecies. Yet, surely you must have felt something? Perhaps it felt like something inside you broke?"
Percy could not hide the widening of his eyes as he heard himself instantly reply. "In Tartarus.. When I was using my powers, at one point it felt like the container of my powers shattered."
The distortion of air interrupted Dionysus' response. The reason for the disruption appeared in the form of Hermes.
"Dionysus, Perseus, both of you must come. Father has requested an emergency council meeting to discuss this development. And you have been ignoring his calls to drunken Percy" Hermes stated disappointedly, staring at the glass of wine.
Before Percy could comment, he was forced to shield his eyes as Dionysus disappeared with a wink. Turning to Hermes, he observed the grave look on the God's face as he was told they would run to Olympus with Hermes carrying him.
Any objection of Percy's was halted by the bridal carry Hermes lifted him into and bolted away to the Empire State Building.
The room was left empty except for Chiron who closed his eyes in prayer to Ananke that Percy be given his peace. Standing up and turning to the door, he prepared himself to be confronted by the campers.
Opening his eyes as he was placed onto the ground, Percy observed the surroundings as he entered the elevator and Hermes swiped his hand over the buttons revealing a hidden panel. Absently, he pressed for the six hundredth floor and proceeded to ignore Percy.
Which Percy was completely okay with Percy as he was not in the mood to deal with emotionally constipated Gods right now.
Exiting the elevator onto Olympus he didn't allow himself to be distracted by its beauty but instead strode quickly to the throne room. He ignored all the looks of passing immortals and mythical creatures.
Opening the door, he was confronted with twelve people speaking at once. All the Olympians except Hestia and Hermes were currently engaged in a heated discussion which was disrupted by Hermes walking forward and growing to his twelve foot form to take his seat.
Instantly, all eyes were on him. Poseidon, Apollo, Artemis, Demeter, Dionysus, Hestia and Hades were all looking concernedly at him. This at least reassured Percy that he was not alone. He stood before them allowing himself to bask in Hestia's warmth and homely feel.
While Ares glared at him, he was otherwise met with blank stares from Aphrodite, Hera, Zeus, Hephaestus, Athena, and Hermes.
"Discussing my death again?" Percy questioned spitefully.
Zeus' eyes softened momentarily looking at him, "Perseus Jackson, without the input of the council, you have begun to ascend. Normally, this would not be allowed to stand. However, the choice was either of your own doing which is unlikely as you have declined us, an interfering primordial or Fate. As they have not informed us of this, we must vote on the matter" Zeus decreed ignoring any attempts of interruption.
"Should Perseus Jackson be allowed to ascend to Godhood?" Zeus proposed.
Poseidon, Apollo, Artemis, Demeter, Dionysus, Hestia and Hades immediately raised their hands, warming Percy's heart that at least it would result in a revote.
Waiting patiently as no God made to vote, Percy was shocked as the person to break the tie… was none other than Athena.
"Very well," Zeus began, "Perseus Jackson will be allowed to become a God. Athena, how long will that take."
"Less than a month," Athena answered without hesitation. "It will be dangerous to allow him back to Gaea as he can ascend at any time which will kill not only any surrounding mortals, but the area as well. He will need a trainer, Father, and I will gracefully offer my help."
Percy began to speak but was stopped by his Father, "Outrageous," Poseidon commented, "he should be trained with his Father."
"My daughter is right. It would be wrong- do not deny this. Would you prefer to kill innocent mortals Perseus?" Zeus asked callously. Accepting Percy's denials he continued, "However, you will be given the choice of a trainer and someone to supervise you until your ascendance. Evidenced by your power levels, it would be best if it were an Olympian. Now, tell me whom do you choose, Perseus."
Looking around the room filled with Gods, Percy internally debated.
Ares was obviously out as he despised Percy. He would not enjoy a month isolated with Aphrodite's shopping trips with what he remembered of Piper's rants. Hestia, while a good candidate, was a peaceful Goddess and would not suit his training.
He immediately striked out Dionysus as he was on punishment which would leave Percy at Camp Half-Blood. Hades, and Hermes would be too busy as well.
Hephaestus, he doubted, would tolerate Percy's rambunctious presence. And was also a smithing God compared to Percy who could feel in his soul that fighting would be one of his domains.
While he and Artemis were friends, he would be endangering her hunt and he knew she wouldn't tolerate him after that.
Zeus and Hera were both out as they were too volatile and would set Percy off which may get him smote before his Father could intervene.
While he shared a strange kinship in his soul with Demeter, he did not think he wanted to become a farmer for a month.
That left Poseidon, Apollo and Athena within the Olympians.
While he was more than amenable to going with his Father, he was aware that his previous trips to the Sea only served to increase Zeus' paranoia of an upcoming revolt against him.
Athena.. Athena.. He did not know her play. Her support in favour of his life was surprising yet he did not want to depend on her sudden interest in his survival to keep him alive.
"Apollo, his domains are plentiful. I am sure that he would be able to assist me. Should I require any water-based assistance I am of no doubt my Father would later help me"
"Of course," Poseidon reassured sadly but understandingly.
"Then, it is decided, Apollo, you will assist Perseus. Go get him settled and Artemis will inform you of the further discussion of the meeting," Zeus declared.
"I shall take your leave Father," Apollo replied, shrinking to Percy's size and flashing them to his temple. "Come, I shall give you a room".
Alone with Percy in the empty room he finally questioned him on the reasons for choosing him.
He was aware the demigod now godling was being deceitful of the reason given as the main factor.
"Well," Percy commented slyly, "I had to go with the most beautiful" he whispered into Apollo's ear walking off to observe the room. Hearing the God following him, he turned his head to see the wide-eyed look he was receiving.
"Percy, your Father would not be appreciative if I were to take advantage of you," Apollo stressed to him.
Chuckling Percy commented, "Oh? Then you shall not worry. It is I who will be taking advantage of you."