Curse of Acceptance | Percy Jackson & The Olympians | Heroes Of Olympus |

Chapter 2

TARGETER

Athena gasped so loudly it could be heard in the whole throne room. In the meantime, six other mouths of the gods clopped close as they turned themselves human size and launched themselves on me. The demigods in front of me quickly retreated. Hestia, Hades, Artemis, Apollo, Hera and Hermes all tried to hug me at the same time. Steeling my heart, I pushed them all away. My heart nearly broke when I saw their faces. Hestia looked the worse when I pushed her away. Her face was distraught.

"Darling, what happened to you?" It could be said that Hestia nearly wailed that sentence.

All I answered was "Ask Athena." in a freezing voice.

"Athena? What is this all about?" Zeus's loud voice punctured all the small sounds that had been produced by my appearance.

In the meantime, Athena had been in shock. The girl she had cursed had returned! And she looked the spitting image of the girl she had seen from Apollo's image prophecy. Perhaps she had been wrong to let her live after all. She was now going to blast Olympus into ruins. Zeus's sharp voice punctured her thoughts as he grew weary of repeating himself to no avail.

"Father, you must kill her. She is a threat! She could topple Olympus!" Athena nearly screeched all of this out. Immediately, all six gods stood between me and the line of fire. Although I was touched, I couldn't show it.

"What do you mean, topple Olympus? Athena you'd best be clear." The skies outside Olympus reflected Zeus's unease as they started rumbling and flashing.

Athena was about to continue when Apollo interrupted. "Father, she would do no such thing! She is my champion, as well as Hestia, Hades, Artemis, Apollo, Hera and Hermes."

"How can a person have so many patrons?" Zeus looked like he was about to pop a vein. " Also, none of you answered me! WHO! IS! THIS! GIRL!" The last sentence was shouted, or should I say, thundered. "Apollo! You answer!"

Because I didn't want Apollo to reveal my former name, I spoke up." My name is Targeter. I bring greetings and a warning from my master. Demigods, another war approaches. Gods, you are expected to help this time." Even though my voice was already cold, it went even colder at the last sentence.

Poseidon had the grace to look somewhat sorry but Zeus was infuriated.

"And just who is your master? Probably the very one who is starting this war" he yelled, throwing his master bolt at me. I deflected it with ease the same time my master appeared.

My master had brought all of his power to bear, causing all the gods to tremble in their thrones. The demigods could feel the power but weren't trembling as much.

Finally Percy asked " Who are you?" while Annabeth then hurriedly pulled him into a bow. If I didn't know my master, I would have been worried for him.

Walking forward to stand in front of my master, I knelt on one knee and said "Master."

"Enough with the master business. Get up. For goodness sakes everybody get up! I won't bite." The last sentence was directed at the gods and demigods who had knelt down as well.

Athena stuttered one word out: "Chaos."

"Ah yes that's me." My master seemed cheery at being recognized but quickly turned solemn. " Now who was it that hurt my-" he frowned and stopped. Glancing at me, he said " what do I address you? I won't call you an apprentice, certainly not a servant. I never did have to do this before. All right. Who was it that hurt the Hand of Chaos?"

As Zeus looked like he wanted to piss his pants, I simply said " it does not matter, my lord. The important thing is that my credentials are confirmed."