Athanasios Perseus Apollyon - The Forgotten Tide

Chapter 14: The Tides of Twins

Percy's POV

The air in Olympus was different, even for a god like me. It thrummed with power and expectation, the weight of countless divine presences bearing down on the palatial halls and towering structures. The grandeur of Olympus was nothing new to me, but today, something felt... different. The summons had been urgent, and the message cryptic. I knew better than to ignore the call of the Olympian Council, but even as I arrived, I couldn't shake the sense that something was deeply amiss.

As I stepped through the golden gates, I was greeted by the sight of the towering marble pillars, each one inscribed with ancient runes of power. The council chamber was filled with the familiar faces of the gods, their expressions ranging from concern to indifference. At the head of the room sat Zeus, his stormy gaze fixed on me as I approached.

"Perseus," Zeus began, his voice resonating through the chamber. "We have summoned you here for a matter of great importance. The twins, Apollo and Artemis, require guidance in mastering their divine powers. We believe you are the one to help them achieve their full potential."

I nodded, sensing the weight of the task before me. Training godlings was nothing new, but Apollo and Artemis were not ordinary godlings. They were children of Zeus himself, with the potential to become some of the most powerful gods in existence.

"And what of their current mentor?" I asked, knowing that such tasks were rarely left to chance.

"Chiron," Zeus replied. "Half-brother to us elder gods and son of our father. He has been tasked with guiding them, but even he recognizes the need for your particular... expertise."

Chiron. The name stirred something within me. I had heard tales of him, a centaur of unparalleled wisdom and skill, one who had mentored heroes of old. If Chiron was involved, this was indeed a serious matter.

Zeus continued, "You are to find Chiron and assist him in teaching Apollo and Artemis. They are powerful, but they lack control. Their power needs to be tempered, and their minds need to be sharpened."

I nodded again, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I will find Chiron and do what is necessary."

Zeus gave a curt nod, and with that, the council meeting was dismissed. I turned to leave, already planning my next steps, but a voice stopped me in my tracks.

"Perseus," Hera called out, her tone as commanding as ever. "Be wary of Apollo. He is... troubled."

I met her gaze, a flicker of concern in her eyes. Hera rarely showed such emotion let alone to the bastard children of her husband, and it only deepened my resolve. "I will keep that in mind," I replied before making my way out of the council chamber.

Finding Chiron was no simple task, even for someone like me. The centaur was a master of keeping to the shadows when he wished, but I had my ways. I traced his steps through ancient forests and hidden groves, following the faintest of trails until I finally came upon him in a secluded valley.

Chiron was exactly as the stories described him—half-man, half-horse, with an air of wisdom that seemed to emanate from his very being. He was seated beneath a great oak tree, a scroll unfurled in his hands as he studied its contents.

"Chiron," I greeted him, stepping into the clearing.

He looked up, his eyes sharp and knowing. "Perseus," he acknowledged with a nod. "I expected you."

I raised an eyebrow. "You knew I was coming?"

"Zeus informed me," Chiron replied, rolling up the scroll and setting it aside. "And I could sense it in the winds. The twins are in need of more than just guidance. They are at a crossroads, and their path could lead to greatness or disaster."