BY fates design

Back to camp

Cassiopeia walked back into the hall and immediately collapsed onto Percy. Her eyes were red from tears and her lip still trembled slightly. "Everything is going to be okay." He murmured into her hair, placing a soothing kiss to her temple and cheek.

Cassiopeia and Percy approached the receptionist, "we're need to get to the 600th floor." Percy declared. The man behind the counter looked up at him with a board expression before looking down again. "That floor doesn't exist." He said. Percy pulled his bag off and swung it round, unzipping it to show the man the contents. "Sorry I don't have an appointment." Percy remarked. The receptionist pressed a button behind the desk and ushered them towards the elevator.

"Gods, we need to shower." Percy said scrunching his nose up as the elevator rose. "Speak for yourself." Cassiopeia smirked and used a wandless spell to clean herself , the soft sent of chamomile and strawberries washed over the elevator. When it stopped and the doors opened a smile spread over Cassiopeia's face. It had been a while since she had visited Olympus, it was a beautiful as ever though. Appearing like a glistening ancient Greek town with floating temples dotting the sky. "Follow me." Cassiopeia lead Percy down the path and up towards what looked like the main temple.

"That's Olympus?" Mary ogled, "it's beautiful."
"Gorgeous." Dorcas agreed, her brown eyes wide with amazement.

Inside was almost devoid of life, a circle of thrones was situated in the centre of the temple, all empty except for one. In the middle throne, the biggest of them all, was a man, harsh features, piercing blue eyes, trimmed white hair and a flowing beard. "Zeus." Cassiopeia dropped to her knee before him, Percy followed soon after. "We have come bearing your lightning bolt," Percy held it out as he spoke, "you need to stop this war, there are far greater matters at work now, ones that are pinning on you weakening each other in a petty duel." Zeus took the bolt from Percy's hands and it crackled with electricity.

"You are too late, Percy Jackson. While I appreciate the return of my master bolt, you didn't reach the deadline, the war will commence." Zeus rebutted, stepping back towards his throne, "you can go." He shooed them away.

"Why is he so stubborn?" Even asked. "Maybe you should ask him yourself." Barty nodded over to the gods sat off to the side.
"Hey! Zeus! Why are you so stubborn?" Even yelled to the god. Zeus didn't offer any form of verbal response only glaring at the blonde boy and turning away.

"Kronos is rising." Cassiopeia interjected, "he is coming for 'his' throne, he wants you weakened by a war with Poseidon. You are playing into his hands." Zeus hardly regarded her, the only sign he had heard her at all was the twitch of his fingers.

"Lord Zeus, Kronos is coming, whether you believe us or not, war right now is futile."  Percy tried to sway him.  Zeus stood from his throne and raised his bolt high, Percy crouched, covering his head to protect himself. "You will learn to do as you are told." Zeus bellowed.

Percy braced for a strike that never came, he stood again to find a second man, this one slightly taller, with dirty blonde hair, green eyes, a light blue cotton shirt and tan shorts. "I surrender." He said, his voice was like a calming wave over Percy, unnervingly familiar. "You win the war, I surrender." He repeated. It took but another moment for Zeus to vanish. The man turned to face Percy and realisation snuck in, this man was Poseidon, his father. "You have grown." Poseidon observed, looking over his son.

Many cheered at the god's appearance, whistling and chanting. "Your dad is fit!" One of the Ravenclaw girls yelled to Percy who gagged while Cassiopeia chuckled under her breath.

Cassiopeia watched the duo for a moment before deciding to give them space. Stepping back, she left the temple and wandered around until she spotted someone she recognised. "Apollo!" She called out to the god.