Thalia's Loss

Chapter 3

Sally Jackson was at home when she got Chiron's message. Percy was dead. With her husband at work and daughter at school, Sally had nothing to do but go right to Olympus. After hearing what the ridiculous quest was for, and who sent her son on it, she wanted answers. Answers to questions like "Why did you send Percy? Why couldn't you go yourself? Why do you keep sending children on quests that can get them killed!?" So, despite Chiron's insistence that she didn't, she had him convince the gods to allow her into Olympus just this once for a meeting.

Hermes arrived at her door to bring her there, he looked apologetic and nervous. He looked at her with pity. But Sally didn't want his pity, or anyone's, she wanted answers and justice for her son. So, Hermes got her to the doors of the throne room of Olympus. Already, they could hear the gods arguing. Zeus and Poseidon, mainly.

"You sent him on that quest, Zeus!" Poseidon's voice echoed through Olympus. "You had to have known he'd die! That's why you didn't send your daughter! The one who would be able to safely carry the bolt!" "All quests are dangerous, you fool!" Zeus bellowed. "Do not place the blame on me! I am not the one who killed your forbidden son!" Hermes opened the doors and dashed to his seat, as if hoping to avoid being spotted altogether.

The heads of every god and goddess turned toward Sally as she walked forward. Most seemed neutral to what was happening, some, like Ares, looked annoyed, as if it was all a waste of time. And then there were some, such as Hestia and Apollo, who pitied her, like Hermes had. And then there was Hades, Zeus and Poseidon. Hades seemed emotionless to what was happening, Zeus was evidently frustrated, and Poseidon looked both worried and sad.

"Well?" Zeus began. "You requested this meeting, mortal. Make it count." Sally narrowed her eyes. "Yes, I did. I want to know what on Earth you sent my son on yet another quest for you're lightning bolt. I want to know why you didn't send your daughter, who is much more equipped to safely handle it. I want to know why you sent my child to his death!" "As I have already told my brother, all quests are dangerous. I will not be blamed for the outcome of them." Zeus replied dismissively.

~

Thalia marched up the steps to the throne room, Artemis and the hunters following quickly. The lightning bolt sat in her backpack. As they entered the room, Thalia was shocked to see Sally there. Only Apollo noticed their arrival, everyone else was too focused on Sally.

"You may not have killed Percy and Annabeth directly, but you sent them on the quest that did, instead of going yourself for once!" Sally shouted. "They might have died on any quest, how would I have known it would be this one!?" Zeus shouted back.

"Because you knew Nyx was behind this!" Thalia yelled, walking forward to stand beside Sally. "What?" Poseidon said, his voice scarily calm. "Zeus, is that true? Did you know?" Hestia asked. The king of the gods didn't reply. "You did know!" Poseidon shouted. "You could have warned them! At least told them what they were up against!" Sally yelled. "They would have at least been more prepared for her if you'd told them it was Nyx!" Thalia screamed. "ENOUGH!" Zeus bellowed, his voice echoing around the room. Poseidon and Thalia stopped, but Sally didn't. "No! Annabeth, Percy and Grover were innocent! And you sent them to their deaths!" "That's enough-" Athena started, but Sally interrupted. "I'm not finished, Athena! My son is dead, and this quest is to blame, as is the god who assigned it!" Zeus looked about ready to send a bolt of lightning at her, so Thalia stepped forward once more.

"You are the reason three innocent lives have been lost! You have no right to toy with their lives. You have no right to toy with their deaths." "Thalia-" "You don't get to decide their fates! I'll ignore the memories, I'll ignore the myths that might have redeemed you at Camp Half-blood. You think any campers who loved battle strategies and looked up to Annabeth will forgive you for sending her to die? You think anyone who looked up to Percy for making sure everyone got claimed will forgive you for killing him? You think a single nymph or satyr will just forget that you sent Grover to his death?"

"Thalia Grace!" Zeus tried again to stop her. "Mark my words, Zeus, you forfeit my loyalty, you forfeit your welcome at camp. You'll stay in Olympus as always, with only the memories of when you were even vaguely respected by a single greek demigod!" She took the bolt out of her bag and threw it at his feet. It landed with a loud clang, and the final words she ever spoke to her father landed with it. "I hope that you burn."

Sally and Thalia left Olympus, Artemis and the hunters with them. The rest of the gods either didn't care enough to stay now that the drama was over, or did stay just to give Zeus a piece of their minds for what he did as well. Only Hestia stayed out of it. That was the last time in a while Thalia spoke to an Olympian who wasn't Artemis.