Born a God

Chapter 5 : Part 1

Achilles Perseus never expected to be thrust into a world... and prophecies (a story for another time), but that's exactly what happened. From court life, which was dull in his opinion, just a boring old geezer yapping about things he found inconsequential, to finding trouble absolutely everywhere. From the day he was born, his life was never dull. He was fulfilling the occasional mission, trying to gain favor from the Gods, when one day he returned home to find unsettling news awaiting him....

Percy's POV:
Today, I was in awe of all the different yellow shades I saw! Even I couldn't tell them apart but perheps there's a possibilty that I'm colorblind. Apollo was freaking out hard when I got the wrong one. I should've asked Aphrodite for help... but then I'd never hear the end of it. Honestly, I'm not sure who'd be worse. Anyway, I can't even begin to guess where he gets his temper from.

Despite the difficult morning, I arrived back at the palace before my Father, who had been exiled to the human world, returned home. I thought the palace would be buzzing with excitement as he neared, but all I heard was a tumultuous cacophony of loud screams echoing through the imposing coral walls.

My pulse raced as I stood frozen in the hallway, enraged screams of immortals ringing through the thick walls. Immortal immortals stuck in eternal dispute... it had become a regular event. But today seemed different. It was colder... I could barely make out the words from the violent shouting match. Until I heard it - 'cheating' and 'half-brother'. That's when a bolt of clarity cut through the stuffy air. I jumped from my spot and realized what the heated argument was really about. Suddenly, the tension in the corridor was palpable, making it seem like an eternity, a little ironic I know.

My heart sank as my emotions overflowed. Where did things go wrong? I couldn't believe how drastically my life had changed from the bliss I'd enjoyed only a short time ago. Sure Father was gone for five winters but as an immortal, those five just flew by. Time meant absolutely nothing when you live forever. But those tantalizing dinners by the fireplace, that laughter that filled the air like invisible music. It was small moments like that that gives us immortals a little humanity. It all felt like a distant memory now. My steps were heavy as I stepped into the throne room. Somewhere deep inside, I prayed for an end to the argument, wishing I could go back to the way things used to be.

"That's enough. Please, let's just... move on," I said, hoping the quiver in my voice didn't give away the inner turmoil that threatened to overwhelm me.

They both kept looking at me, not sure what to do.

I clenched my jaw, trying to stop the tears that threatened to spill as I stared into my Father's eyes. "I know what you did was wrong," I proclaimed steady and strong, "But it isn't like it was the only mistake you ever made... Let's just move on, all right?"

The room was electric, a tense hush lingering in the air. I had unknowingly opened up a can of worms. Father just seemed struck with surprise. Then, in a swift yet gentle motion, my Mother stepped toward me, her tears shining in the light. She then held me closely, her arms enveloping me in a hug of comfort.

She looked into my eyes and took a deep breath, before whispering, "You're right."

She shook her head as if that could shake away the heavy atmosphere, she looked up and with a glint of hope, exclaimed, "I think I'm gonna take a minute to powder my nose in the bathroom. Then we can keep on going with the party planning!"

With a captivating smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, she walked away, trying with all her might to conceal the sadness that consumed her. She was bravely putting on a brave face for me, attempting to stop her tears from spilling over. The diminishing click-clack of her heels seemed like a solemn dirge to the pain in my heart as I watched her go.