Percy Jackson - Bane of Tartarus

Chapter 8

Lester's/Apollo's POV

Although I've been feeling bad since Artemis got kidnapped hold on...no..I've been feeling bad since I was shoved down from Olympus in this mortal body. Then I felt worse when my sister got nabbed. After Annabeth's meltdown I felt horrible and now as I walked away with Percy from her sobbing mother Sally Jackson, one of the best mortals I've ever met and that's saying something, I was at a loss of words to describe my feelings. I looked at Percy as we walked towards the Empire State building, his eyes seemed to have lost their luster and looked darker but he looked determined as ever.

"Percy" I stopped on the entrance to the building, "I'm not allowed on Olympus. You have to complete the rest of the journey on your own. For now I'll get back to my quest, tell me before you leave for Tartarus about where and when you'll be coming back."

"Okay, I think I can manage a few Olympians, besides it's good practice for Tartarus" Percy chuckled.

I couldn't help but smile at him, here he was going to the literal hell for the second time and he was making jokes about it. Well, that's Percy Jackson for you. Before he walked into the building I grabbed his hand and pulled him for a hug, he was surprised to say the least. "Thankyou Percy. I hope you know I consider you a friend even if you don't feel the same."

"Well then you should also know that I don't jump into Tartarus for every annoying God" He walked away laughing and then disappeared in the crowd. I stood there for a while then started walking away with no particular destination just yet.

Percy's POV

Apollo hugged me. Yep. Although he is a mortal now, he still is Apollo and never has a God except my father gotten all sentimental on me and definitely no God ever has called me a friend before. After looking at the improvement in Apollo I think all the Olympians should become mortal for a couple of years after every millennia or so. This'll definitely help them outgrow their arrogance and disrespect for mortals, it has certainly helped Apollo. I approached the reception desk still lost in thoughts which I was pulled back from by the security guard asking me if I needed help.

"I need the key to the 600th floor" I asked, my voice as polite as I could make it.

"There is no 600th floor"

I uncapped my Riptide, "Are you sure about that?" He jerked backwards in shock and quickly handed me the key. I smirked capping Riptide and walked towards the elevator. Within a couple of seconds the elevator doors opened again and I was at Olympus. I started walking towards the throne room and noticed people looking at me, a few nymphs and satyrs staring at me, which made feel a little uncomfortable. I couldn't do anything about it though as after two back to back wars people here perhaps recognized most of the demigods that were still alive after fighting in both wars. I kept my head down and followed the stone path to the Olympus throne room.

I didn't hear any noise from outside the door so I entered the throne room to find a 10 year old girl sitting by the fire. I immediately recognized her as Lady Hestia and bowed to her.

"Hello, Perseus. What brings you here?" She said smiling. Her smile filled me with a warm feeling like somehow I was home, I guess that is Goddess of the hearth for you.

"I was hoping I could speak to the council about something very important"

"Are you sure you want to do this, I'm sure you won't like either outcome" She suddenly turned serious.

"I'm sure. I have to do this"

She smiled again and nodded sending a small bright ball of fire in the sky. Within seconds all the thrones were occupied, all but two. I bowed to everyone.

"Is everything okay Percy, has something happened?" My father asked in concern.

"No dad. I'm fine, everything is okay."

"Then why have you summoned the council?" Zeus bellowed like he had something better to do.

"I'm here to ask for a passage out of Tartarus" I replied as I looked at the shocked faces of the Olympians.

"Tartarus has been locked for a reason and in no circumstance will the doors be allowed to open"

"Even if it is to save your daughter?"

"What do you mean, explain yourself?" Zeus demanded like I was there to tell jokes. The guy has no patience.

"I am going to Tartarus to save Lady Artemis. Although getting into Tartarus is fairly easy once I enter the Underworld for which I need Lord Hades' permission of course", I glanced at Hades who was looking at me wide eyed. I then continued, "For the getting out part, I need help from you." There was complete silence for a couple of seconds then my dad spoke.

"Absolutely not, you barely survived there the first time, now you want to go there again."