The Assassin in the Shadows; Book One: The Betrayed Heroes

Chapter 1 - The Award Ceremony

Percy

Camp Half-Blood

Perseus Jackson.
That was the name given to me.

Not because it sounded cool—though I guess it kinda does—but because of what it meant.

Because I'm the son of Poseidon. A half-blood. A demigod.

Now, you might wonder—why Perseus? Wasn't he the son of Zeus? Yeah, he was. But more importantly, he was the only demigod in the old legends who got a happy ending.

...So much for namesakes.

I sat on the edge of my bed in the Poseidon cabin, the room empty and quiet except for my breathing. It had been two days since we defeated Gaea.

Two days since Leo died.

I felt my chest tighten as tears welled up. Leo, my friend. The one who joked even when everything was falling apart. Gone. Just like that.

So many of my friends should've lived longer. Gone to college. Fallen in love. Built futures. But they didn't—because of me.

Because I wasn't fast enough. Or strong enough. Or enough, period.

The name Perseus didn't suit me anymore. It stained the name of the original. He earned his ending. Me? I've done nothing but survive while the people I love die around me.

After we burned the shrouds, I hadn't seen the sun. I'd locked myself away in the cabin. Being alone was easier.

That was when the letter came.

You are invited to Olympus in honor of your victory against Gaea. Ceremony begins at p.m.

I scoffed. "Are you freaking kidding me?"

The gods, in all their eternal glory, calling us up like we were party favors. While they sat pretty on their thrones, it was us who bled and broke to fix their world.

I sighed, dragging myself up. I didn't want to go. But as one of the Seven, I had to.

What would everyone even wear to something like this?

I settled on the only tux I owned—something Mom had guilted me into packing. For once, I was glad she had.

Later that night

Olympus

Slowly, we began to arrive. One by one.

I looked around until I found her—my wise girl.

Annabeth.

She wore a silvery-gray dress that shimmered just right under the divine chandeliers. It matched her eyes. Beautiful, confident, impossibly strong. I swear, time paused for a second.

We gathered by our respective cabins, the air buzzing with awkward chatter. Everyone was trying to act normal, like we weren't all traumatized and stitched back together with stubbornness and duct tape.

Then Zeus struck his bolt into the sky, silencing everything with his usual flair for drama.

I muttered, "Drama queen," under my breath.

"Demigods," Zeus began, "Today we honor your bravery. All who fought in both wars shall be granted partial immortality."

The crowd erupted in murmurs.

"And to the Seven—save for Leo Valdez, whose sacrifice we honor with grief—should you choose to accept it, you shall be granted full godhood."

Gasps. Stunned silence.

Then, a voice spoke up.
"Lord Zeus, I have a request."

All eyes turned.

"Frank Zhang?" Zeus raised a brow.

"May we discuss our decisions privately before submitting them?"

Zeus narrowed his eyes. "Why should I allow that?"

"Because... we have friends. Lovers. We deserve time to choose."

There was a long pause.

"Fine," Zeus said at last. "Do not disappoint me."

So we huddled. Talked. Argued. Laughed bitterly. Fought a little. And when it was done—we had made our choices.

Annabeth and I would decline.

The rest would accept.

One by one, we approached the throne room to state our decisions.

When it was my turn, I faced Zeus and said, "I decline godhood."

His lips twitched. But he said nothing.

Once everyone was done, Zeus raised his voice again.

"Demigods, your heroes have spoken."

He turned to the crowd. "Please welcome...

Jason Grace, God of Storms and Rainfall."
Piper McLean, Goddess of Natural Beauty.
Frank Zhang, God of Shapeshifting.
Hazel Levesque, Goddess of Precious Metals and Gemstones."

Applause thundered through the halls.

"And demigods, last but not least... Annabeth Chase, Goddess of Architecture and Battle Strategy."

My world dropped out from beneath me.

Everyone clapped. Cheered. Smiled.

Everyone but me.

I stood frozen. Shaken. Betrayed. She had said no. We had said no.

I didn't even hear my name at first.

"Perseus Jackson," Zeus said louder, "for your unmatched courage, for saving Olympus—twice—the Council not only offers you godhood, but a seat on the Olympian Council."

Gasps rang out again.

"Perseus Jackson," Zeus demanded. "What is your answer?"

I blinked. My mouth was dry.

"...Thank you, Lord Zeus. But I have to decline."

Zeus's voice thundered. "You decline a place on the Council?"

"With all due respect, Lord Zeus... I want to die someday. I want to see my friends in Elysium. I ask instead for three wishes."

He narrowed his eyes. "Again, Perseus?"

"Yes, Lord."

Zeus sighed. "Fine. Three wishes. As long as they are within our power, I swear it on the Styx."

Thunder cracked.

"I ask that Lady Hestia and Lord Hades be given permanent seats on this council. They are the eldest. They deserve their place."

The silence was heavy. But slowly—nods. Agreement.

Zeus glared, but snapped his fingers. Two thrones shimmered into existence beside the others.

"For my remaining two wishes," I said, "I'd like to keep them for another time."

"You ask much, sea spawn," Zeus muttered. Then he turned to the rest. "Demigods, gods... we could all learn something from Perseus Jackson."

"I haven't done anything special," I said softly. "Anyone in my position would've done the same."

"Perseus," Lady Hestia said warmly, "Please, learn to take a compliment."

I smiled. "I'll try, Lady Hestia."

And for the first time in days, I felt something other than grief. Not joy exactly, but something close. Something human.

The rest of the night blurred into music, dancing, stories, and laughter.
We partied. We remembered.

We lived.

Till the sun rose.