Seal of the Betrayed

He Rises

Ch. 1

High up in the sky over the city of New York, above the clouds an immortal city was in silence save for the quiet whispers of nymphs and nature spirits, along with some of the minor gods and goddesses.

They were whispering about what was happening inside the throne room at that very moment.

A young demigod, only sixteen years of age stood before the immortal Olympian Council. Accused of committing treason against said gods and trying to bring about the downfall of Olympus.

The whispers were not about the demigod in question though.

No, the other immortals of the city spoke of another demigod. One who faced the same charges just a decade earlier. One who had risen above all others and achieved things no demigod should ever be able to achieve. He saved the rule of the gods not once but twice in less than five years.

His reward?

Accusations of treason against the gods from his supposed immortal family and a number of his so-called friends.

His punishment?

Eternity in Tartarus.

Or so they thought.

The whispers were about the actions of the gods and the fact that no one, outside of the council believed Percy Jackson would have ever conspired against Olympus, the place he risked his life countless times to protect.

But led by the spiteful goddess Athena, the verdict was unanimous. Even his own father agreed he was a traitor and a threat to the gods' rule.

Now it appeared the gods were trying to snuff out another powerful demigod before he could reach the status and level of power Percy Jackson achieved.

Inside the throne room, the gods and demigods had given their 'testimonies' and accounts of how the boy had betrayed them.

Zeus stood from his throne with master bolt in hand.

"Jacob, son of Hades, you have been convicted of treason against the gods. Your punishment shall be eternity in Tartarus. Any last words?"

The boy looked up, the betrayal and hurt from watching his friends and supposed family stab him in the back were gone from his features. Instead, he stared at the lord of the sky defiantly.

"Perhaps I won't be the one to give it but soon you shall all get what is coming to you. You create demigods, force them to live horrible lives, and then when they get even the slightest bit powerful, you cast them into Tartarus like the weak and pathetic cowards you are. First Percy Jackson and now me. One day Zeus and one day soon, you shall have to own up to your sins and they will rip you apart piece by painful piece. You want my last words? Fuck you!"

Zeus' eyes widened before he hurled his master bolt at the demigod, illuminating the room from the explosion.

When the light faded, all that was left was a charred piece of marble where the boy had been standing.

"Good riddance." Athena sneered from her throne.

Before anyone else could comment, lightning flashed and thunder crackled across the sky, louder and brighter than anything Zeus could create in his wildest dreams.

The Olympians were frozen until Apollo stood from his throne, only to collapse on the floor of the throne room.

Artemis jumped to her feet to check on him when Apollo's eyes lit up bright white. He spoke but the voice was not his. Nor was it that of his oracle. This voice was deep and the mere tone of it sent shivers down the spines of every single person in the throne room.