Chapter Text
"I know what you will ask. The greatest gift of all. Yes, if you want it, it shall be yours. The gods have not bestowed this gift on a mortal hero in many centuries, but, Perseus Jackson — if you wish it — you shall be made a god. Immortal. Undying. You shall serve as your father's lieutenant for all time."
Percy shifted his feet. “Um. A-a god?”
Zeus rolled his eyes. “A dimwitted god, apparently. But yes. With the consensus of the entire council, it can be done.”
Percy waited for any of the gods to protest. But they didn’t.
A god.
He looked back at Annabeth, who tried to look anywhere but at his eyes. She was pale, fidgeting.
Immortal, all powerful, in top condition.
It was quite the gift.
Percy’s mind went to all the lives that were lost, from when he got claimed to now. If he was more, could he have prevented them?
What was in store for the future? Percy knew he wouldn’t be safe. Ever. His friends won’t be. His mom won’t be. Paul won’t be. And Annabeth… she wouldn’t be either.
If he was more, could he keep them all safe? Forever?
They deserved to be. After everything that had happened. After everything Percy should’ve prevented.
Athena’s eyes bore into him. Your fatal flaw is personal loyalty, Percy. You do not know when it is time to cut your losses. To save a friend, you would sacrifice the world. In a hero of the prophecy, that is very, very dangerous.
Percy found his voice.
“Okay. I accept your gift.”
Annabeth wasn’t okay. She wasn’t sure if she ever would be.
It’s been about two weeks, but it felt like a lifetime.
She hasn’t spoken to barely anyone about anything. She wasn’t sure if anyone even knew, other than Grover, who she cried to right as she walked out of Olympus.
It was horrifying. Annabeth stood at the end of the throne room. Percy. Percy was in the middle of all of the council. When he got offered godhood, Annabeth couldn’t say she was surprised. She knew Percy was strong. A child of the Big Three, he was always powerful. He was also a lot like Poseidon. A lot like the sea, changing and unrestrained. She loved him. She loves him. So godhood made sense. It didn’t change how she felt a dagger go right through her heart and twist slowly when Percy accepted the gift.
What now?
Would the boy she loved with every atom that made up her body lose the humanity he once had? His caring, caring nature, his loyalty, his gentleness, his understanding and kindness?
Did Annabeth lose someone again?
All this she pondered lying on the shore. She heard the familiar clopping of hooves, more muted by the sand, that belonged to Chiron.
“Child.”
She sat up and turned. “I don’t need to eat. Thanks.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “Annabeth. Grover informed me of what happened to Perseus.”
“Don’t say his name like that.”
“He’s a god now, child. We don’t know what circumstances he’s under. We don’t know how he is.”
“No! Percy is coming back. I-I know he is.” Annabeth said this in a way to convince herself of it, too.
Chiron sighed, his eyes heavy. “Heracles. A great hero indeed.”
“Don’t you dare compare the two.”
“You are right. They’re quite different. Perseus’s achievements mirror that of the son of Zeus’s, though, likely even passing them. Heracles was… he did a lot. He was a beloved demigod to me. When he ascended, I lost him to the ichor that replaced his blood. He lost himself. I know he would not regard me the same now. I still see the young boy I taught occasionally. But I know he is not that ambitious young demigod anymore.”
Annabeth punched the sand. “Percy’s not like that!” Her voice caught at the end.
Chiron smiled a bit. “Perseus was undoubtedly one of a kind. His blind loyalty was his. Although he was always a powerful demigod, he wielded just as much kindness. Just as much humanity, probably more. I’m not saying Perseus fully changed. I’m not trying to say anything. I just want you to be ready for what could become. I want you to know what might be the case.” With that, Chiron nodded and retreated back to camp.
Annabeth pursed her lips. She should eat. She’ll tackle this later.
The Athena table was chattering per usual, but Annabeth stayed silent. Malcolm would look at her worriedly every once in a while, but she’d strain a smile each time. Occasionally, she would look at the Poseidon table longingly, wishing he would just appear.
“Annabeth? Annabeth??” Malcolm waved a hand in front of her face.
She jumped a bit. “What?”
“I was asking if you would actually be there to sit around the campfire today. You should hear how good the Apollo Cabin has gotten.”
“Oh uh. Yeah. Sure.”
Malcolm frowned. “Annabeth. What’s… going on. Is it Percy?”
Annabeth froze up.
“Yeah, where is he anyway?” another one of her siblings said.
“I— uhm…”
But she was saved by the Apollo Cabin’s abrupt start to their song.
“Let’s go see the hype, yeah?” Annabeth said, scrambling out of her sit and jogging to the campfire. She sat near Katie Gardner and the Stoll brothers, who kept her occupied with their banter. The campfire was rising, but not as high as usual. It was a warm, forest green and grew lighter with the performance from the Apollo kids.
Annabeth felt her feelings actually stray a bit. Until the campfire’s color change again. To a blue? No. No, more of a sea green cross—
“Oh. That’s pretty cool.”
Everyone went quiet and faced the source of the voice. Faced Percy.
Annabeth’s heart jumped to her throat. Her breathing hitched. Her stomach dropped. He wore jeans and a plain navy shirt, with his camp beads still intact.
And he glowed with power. Annabeth swore she could see the divinity rushing out of his every pore.
“Sorry. Uh. Hi.”
No one responded.
Annabeth couldn’t move from her seat.
Chiron spoke up first. “Percy. Welcome back. An honor indeed.” He lowered his centaur form into a bow.
Percy’s face hardened. He looked up at the sky before looking back at Chiron.
“It’s… Perseus.”