Percy Jackson: The Son Of Tartarus

Chapter 13

With a heavy burden resting on my soul, I met the campers at the sparring arena. They stood around, talking in low voices.

"Ahhh, Silas, you've arrived!" Chiron exclaimed and met me with a handshake.

I nodded to him and then looked around the arena. Annabeth and the others were nowhere to be seen.

Where could they be?

"Is there something I can help you with, Chiron?"

"Actually, you and a few other campers who shone during the battle will be on your way to Olympus in a few minutes," Chiron said blatantly.

A frown creeped onto my brow and Chiron laughed at my awkward silence.

"Don't worry, Silas, the gods invited you to congratulate you. Now, you better get going," he turned to the campers, "the following campers should meet me at our bus. Renaldo, Alice..."

My mind trailed off. I was very confused at that moment.

Since when does the gods invite demigods to Olympus?

But around ten minutes later I sat in the front seat of a 28 seater bus. Ten campers sat in the seats. They talked happily and joked around. A boy and a girl held hands.
I smiled nostalgicly as memories past filled my mind.

Percy used to be so happy.

"So, you must be quite accompanied with monsters?" The driver, who happened to be a satyr, asked.

"I guess you could say so?"

He laughed/bleated nervously and winked, "Sorry, that sounded stupid. I just want you to relax a bit!"

I smiled beneath my hood. I saw some part of Grover inside of him.

"I look tense to you?"

"Yep, yep!" He bleated again. "But you don't have to be nervous about being invited to Olympus. The gods are amazing hosts."

Did Tartatus by accident send me to some alternate dimension where the gods actually cared about their children or was this all a dream?

"The gods reward their children?" I asked in disbelief.

"Why do you sound so surprised? I mean, they do love the kids, you know?"

"I just thought that it was costum for the gods to like not be actively part of a demigod's life."

The satyr looked at me and bleated with pleasure, "Yeah, maybe forty years ago. But times have changed!"

I leaned my head against the chair, contemplating what the creature just said.

A pleasantly concerning thought entered my mind. If the gods have changed this much...then maybe they can forgive Percy? Could they accept me for who I truely am?

"They can never love you, you little runt!" Erebus hollered.
A sick smile crawled onto his lips and he pointed at my chest, "Why don't you take the leap like your daddy said? I mean what's the worst that can happen?"
He tapped his chin and the pointed his finger into the air.
"Maybe they'll completely destroy you and then the two of us can be buddies!?"
He applauded excitedly as he cackled.

I jerked back to reality. My breath was fast and I could feel my hands tremble from fear.
How could I be so stupid!?

"Hey, you okay?" The satyr gave me a concerned look.

I waved him off and trained my eyes on the buildings and pedestrians we passed on our way to the Empire State building. New York was still the same as I remembered. Bustling. Alive.

Just like New York Mount Olympus hadn't changed at all. Except for the impossibly long table which stood in the path that lead to the palace. It was piled with foods of all kinds. I smelled ambrosia, nectar and all kinds of other foods. My stomach grumbled to my embarrassment but fortunately no one showed any reaction that they heard.

I followed the other demigods to the far side of the table where Zues stood, talking with Poseidon and Hades. The other gods's eyes followed me along the way. There were whispers - nothing bad was said at all.

I have never been this confused in my life.

"Silas Ronan, welcome!" Zeus declared when he saw me.

He walked straight up to me and held out his hand. I reluctantly shook it and felt unsettled by his homely smile.

"I am honoured to be here, my lord, although I must admit that I am a bit confused," I said.

Zeus led me towards his brothers, who each shook my hand as well. The king of the gods smiled and asked, "Can I help in any way to resolve this confusion?"

"Please forgive me but don't you like never 'mingle' with your children?"

Poseidon cracked up. When he was finally finished after what felt like forever he turned his gaze to me,
"We still don't 'mingle' with our children but some time ago we had a sort of epiphany. From that moment forward we just decided to reward the courage and deeds of our children."

What he said was totally incredible but felt so wrong coming from one of the gods. How many times didn't I- Percy beg the gods to interact more with their children? And now it was actually happening?!

I nodded, "Well, I think that's wonderful. A parent's recognition means a lot to a child. Hadn't my father been so supportive of me, I would probably be insane today."

"Meeting Tartarus truely surprised me," Hades blabbed.

He immediately clamped his hand over his mouth. The three brothers shared a worried glance and I realised they were afraid...of me.

An unusual chuckle escaped my mouth. I waved Hades off, "I completely understand what you mean. Both my father and I may come forward as very intimidating and dark. But Tartarus is actually a good man even if his sister is Gaia."

Hades pouted and nodded quickly.
"Well, I guess that means that maybe Tartarus and I could even work together in the future...with our realms so close-"

"I wouldn't propose that to him. He is very very possesive of the pit."

"Oh, I di-"

"Wheeewww, why don't take our seats," Zues chipped in to relieve the weirdness that was forming. He gestured towards a seat next to Poseidon, "I know this is a bit rude but I think it best if we continue with the feast?"

I nodded and took my place next to the god of the oceans.

Percy's father.

He smiled at me, his sea-green eyes laughing with their familiar joy. The part  inside of me that held Percy's memories ached with longing for his father.

"It is my honour to welcome everyone to Olympus but in particular the son of Tartarus, Silas Ronan!" Zeus boomed and gestured towards me.

All eyes were on me. I could feel their gratitude. Their curiosity.
Their acceptance.

A wild, reckless feeling overtook me. I somehow lost control of my whole body. I saw myself stand up and then heard my voice blurting the dumbest words ever.

"I used to be Percy Jackson."