The Last Love of Calypso

Chapter 3

Percy's POV

Zeus rolled his eyes. "A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire Council, I can make you immortal. Then I will have to put up with you forever."

"Hmm," Ares mused. "That means I can smash him to a pulp as often as I want, and he'll just keep coming back for more. I like this idea."

"I approve as well," Athena said, though she was looking at Annabeth. I was guessing she didn't know that her daughter already made her proud. I didn't even spare a glance at her.

I didn't know what I was expecting but it wasn't godhood. I thought about the offer, I could be a teenager forever, in top condition, powerful, and immortal, serving my father. I could have power and eternal life.

Who could refuse that?

Then I thought about my friends from camp: Charles Beckendorf, Michael Yew, Silena Beauregard, so many others who were now dead. I thought about Ethan Nakamura and Luke.

And I knew what to do.

"Lord Zeus, as generous and tempting that offer may be, I had something else in mind. Something much better." I said hoping that I wasn't stepping on anyone's toes.

Zeus raised his eyebrows. "Do you mean to say that immortality isn't enough of a gift for you boy?" and with edge in his voice I knew I was walking on thin ice here.

"See Lord Zeus that is the problem. It is a gift for me. It isn't a gift for demigods. It isn't a gift for the heroes like Charles Beckendorf, Michael Yew or Luke. I want a gift for us not for me because as much as I want to become immortal, I wasn't the only person risking their lives and I don't see everyone being awarded immortality."

Zeus thankfully nodded instead of blasting me with his bolt. "Well, speak. What is it that you want? We don't have all day."

"I need your promise on the River Styx." I said.

"What?" Dionysus cried. "You don't trust us?"

"Someone once told me," I said, looking at Hades, "you should always get a solemn oath."

Hades shrugged. "Guilty."

"Very well!" Zeus growled. "In the name of the Council, we swear by the River Styx to grant your reasonable request as long as it is within our power."

The other gods muttered assent. Thunder boomed, shaking the throne room. The deal was made.

"From now on, I want to you properly recognize the children of the gods," I said. "All the children . . . of all the gods."

The Olympians shifted uncomfortably.

"Percy," my father said, "what exactly do you mean?"

"Kronos couldn't have risen if it hadn't been for a lot of demigods who felt abandoned by their parents," I said. "They felt angry, resentful, and unloved, and they had a good reason."

Zeus's royal nostrils flared. "You dare accuse—"

"No more undetermined children," I said. "I want you to promise to claim your children—all your demigod children—by the time they turn thirteen. They won't be left out in the world on their own at the mercy of monsters. I want them claimed and brought to camp so they can be trained right, and survive."

"Now, wait just a moment," Apollo said, but I was on a roll.

"And the minor gods," I said. "Nemesis, Hecate, Morpheus, Janus, Hebe-—they all deserve a general amnesty and a place at Camp Half-Blood. Their children shouldn't be ignored. Calypso and the other peaceful Titan-kind should be pardoned too. And Hades—"