Prince of the Seas, Lord of the Eclipse (Discontinued)

Chapter 16

"So...what's it like to be a god? You know, after spending so much time as a demigod?" Thalia asked me.

"Really not that different. At least not in the important everyday things. I was an extremely powerful demigod, so that really didn't change, other than becoming more powerful because I became a god...again. And I guess, somewhere in my head, I always knew I wasn't supposed to be a demigod. That might have something to do with it."

"Oh. Well. Who do you prefer as a parent, Poseidon or Zeus?"

I could tell this question was more personal than the last one. "Well...it depends on what era we put them in. Back when I was first reborn as a demigod, Poseidon wasn't the best of fathers. Don't get me wrong, he loved us, but he hardly did what he does now, back then. He dotes on his children now. Back then, he was far more rough around the edges. And Zeus...well, he was a little more like Poseidon is now, then. He loved his children deeply. He sent them all to see Chiron, which was a lot harder back then than you might think. You had to have high recommendations and be especially capable because you had to make that journey by yourself back then. No satyr to lead you or protect you.

"I remember when I was a little godling, he doted on us three heavily when he was able to sneak away from Hera and visit us on our island that we grew up on. Obviously Artemis being a girl, got the most, but Apollo and I were loved too. It was...nice. Very different to how he acts now," I say.

Thalia nods. "Well-"

"Hey! Perseus, get your lazy butt over here little brother!" Apollo had caught off whatever Thalia had been about to say. "Oh, hey li'l sis. How are you? Spending some quality time with our brother huh? You mind if I borrow him real quick. There's a Council meeting and he was requested to attend. I'll have him back to you and his little fiance soon enough, I promise!"

Before Thalia could even reply one way or another, Apollo grabbed my shoulder and flashed us out.

-----

"Ah, there you two are. It's about time. Was he difficult to find, Apollo?" Zeus asks after we flashed in.

I wave my hand and a slightly-smaller-than-everyone-else's throne appeared between Artemis' and Apollo's, shifting everyone else a little bit. Zeus looked like he was about to say something but then just shook his head and smirked, knowing whatever it was wouldn't change anything I did.

"No, he was having quality time with our little sister, Thalia. I sort of snatched him up mid-conversation."

Zeus nodded and everyone looked at me. Some astounded that I was being so nice, others with small smiles (Aunt Hestia and Artemis), while some just looked at me unconcerned, but acknowledging my presence. "So, where were we?" Uncle Hades asked.

Athena spoke up, "Since Perseus and Apollo rescued Artemis, Kronos has made no moves against us. So far he seems content to bide his time and amass his forces. We believe he has yet to regain his body back, or at least not fully yet. But we do know some minor gods and goddess' have joined his ranks."

"Well that was foreseeable. I mean, look at the way you treat your own kids, let alone the minor gods. You guys have little or no respect for each other sometimes and its even more prominent when you deal with them. Its sad, but true. If you just acknowledged them as equals, then half this war could have been avoided, if not all. They feel left out. Their children being stuffed into the Hermes cabin, them being disrespected here on Olympus.

"I think, when we win, that we should give them a pardon, and treat them as equals. I know I will, because something so much worse is coming, worse than grandfather rising."

Everyone looked at Perseus in shock. "What do you mean a pardon! They are actively going against Olympus and you want us to let them back in?!" Zeus shouted.

I sighed and stood up. Walking to the middle of the room at stood there. "Look, I'll say this once, Father, and you better listen. A couple years ago, Ares himself was influenced by Kronos and was beaten back by my protégé, Luke. You let him back on Olympus. Why not them? Is it because he's an Olympian, or because he's your son? I think its plain to see that you are showing favoritism in the wrong areas. You used to be a benevolent ruler, back when I was a godling. I see time has really taken its tole on your actions.

"I for one, won't sit by idly while you do this. If you don't allow those gods back, I will refuse to come back to Olympus. I will take all the demigods, and we will walk away from all this to let you fight your wars alone, along with any other demigods sired after that. You know I'm capable of doing so. What will it be, Father?"

It seems that I had yet again stunned the Council. I seemed to be really good at that. Then, "I support my brother's decision." It was Artemis. "My Hunters and I will also withdraw." "Me too!" Apollo. "I side with MY SON as well." Poseidon. "Eh, even for being your son, he's right." Hades. "I agree with the boy, and he was always so respectful and loved his cereal as a child." Demeter. "His love for the daughter of Athena is true and pure. I haven't felt something like this in ages, I stand with him as well." Aphrodite. "My brother is...right, even if I don't want to admit it. I will stand behind his idea as well." Athena.

The amount of Olympians that agreed with me surprised me. I figured my brother and sister, and dad; Poseidon that is; would, but the others were unexpected.

Zeus looked conflicted. He was clearly angry I spoke out against him, especially in front of the Council; stunned that so many would support such an idea; a little proud that I had the courage to do such a thing; and unwilling to mess up our still rocky relationship.

He frowned then nodded. "I guess, maybe you're right, Perseus. Maybe I have been handling things wrong. I'm trying to make up for that slowly but surely. But it is difficult. There is so much that I don't know how to handle."

"That's why there is a Council, father. We are all here to help you make decisions, so that you are not alone in that."

"Your daughter is right brother. We won't stand idly by as you sink. We will help pull you out. We might not have seen eye to eye for a long time, but I think if you are ready to change, maybe we should be too," my other father, Poseidon said. Hades, too, nodded in agreement and confirmed his accent to this idea.