Chapter Text
THE TERROR-STRICKEN FACE OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING EMPLOYEE HAD BECOME A SORT OF STAPLE IN PERSEPHONE JACKSON'S LIFE. When her fate was undetermined and she was unsure as to what lay ahead for her, she knew that she could always count on the bald-headed security guard as a constant.
Today was different however.
As she and Andy Chase approached him and prepared to speak, his hand flew out with the elevator key dangling from his fingertips. He did not appear fearful of the demigods before him. He looked almost guilty.
"Head on up, kids." Muttered the man, slowly sinking down in his seat.
"Thanks?" Percy said, a questioning tone to her voice. She gently took the key from his hand and swiftly turned towards the elevator. Once the pair were out of earshot she looked up to the son of Athena. "That was weird, right?"
"Definitely strange." Andy agreed with a terse nod of his head. Using his index finger he pressed the button before them. The elevator doors swiftly slid open and the two heroes crossed the threshold. Percy turns around and inserts the key into the slot. Without warning the doors slammed shut and the elevator began to move upwards towards the 600th flood. The very instant the matching was in motion the daughter of Poseidon grasped the metal bars on the wall. Her eyes were squeezed shut and her knuckles turned an alarming shade of white. Andy took note of the girl's trepidation and and inched closer, placing a reassuring hand on top of her own. 'Escape' by Rupert Holmes blaring through the speakers in no way eased Percy's nerves either. Every second that passed the young demigod was further reminded of her impending doom.
It was a mystery why her presence was requested before the Gods. As much as she desired to, Percy knew she could not deny a summoning from the almighty Zeus.
The elevator's loud 'ding' echoed throughout the small, enclosed room. Soon, the golden doors slid open and Mount Olympus stood before them. The humble abode of the Greek Gods glistened as the sunlight shined upon it. Though both Percy and Andy had seen the architecture a multitude of times before, it never lacked the ability to leave them in awe.
The pair of demigods strode forward and towards the throne room. Each step Percy took grew less and less instinctive. It was as though she had to force herself to move ahead. They climbed the flights of stairs that led upwards, never once straying from the other's side. Eventually, the two slowed to a halt before the vast doors. Voices could be heard from within, an argument brewing between the gods. Andy shared a look with Percy before they both pushed the doors agape. The sharp gaze of Zeus embedded Percy's skull.
"You were told to come alone." He thundered, staring down at the pair of demigods. They stood up straight as they faced the king of gods. Neither slouched, neither cowered in fear. Their heads were held high.
"I was." Percy confirmed with a terse nod. Poseidon stepped forward. He looked unusually tense as he approached his favorite child. He was not standing at twenty feet like his fellow gods, but was rather barely towering over Percy at 5'9.
"I tried, Persephone." He spoke, regret engulfing his words. "Please believe me."
Percy looked at her father's guilty expression before she shifted her attention to the vast Zeus.
"What's going on?" She questioned, pushing past the god of the seas. The teenager stood tall before the semi-circle of Olympians that were seated in their stone thrones.
"The Valar have called for aid. They requested a warrior to assist in battle. You shall be the one sent from our home to fight for Middle-Earth." Stated Zeus. There was no room for argument. Percy's fate had already been decided.
"Middle-Earth?" Andy repeated, stepping up beside his girlfriend. The Chase boy prided himself in his knowledge, yet he had never even heard of such a place before. Percy glanced over at her boyfriend and saw the confusion that coated his face.
"A realm above the giants and below the gods. A place in between." Athena answered her son's question, yet it did nothing but invite even more.
"Why do all of you speak like fortune cookies?" Percy asked, growing aggravated at the lack of clear responses. "Where am I going?" She interrogated, her tone hostile.
"A land we cannot look over." Poseidon uttered from behind the pair of demigods. Percy looked back at her father and watched as he walked to her side. "You shall be sent to a place where we are unable to guide you or help you."
"And how is that any different from where I am now? To be honest, you guys don't really guide or help me that much here anyway." Percy admitted, much to the gods' disapproval.
"We have no way of bringing you back to our realm." Apollo explained. He leaned back in his throne and appeared almost ashamed. It was a drastic shift from his usual mannerism. "It is up to the Valar when your quest is complete."
"So I could be gone-" Percy's question was swiftly cut off by Hermes.
"For months, for years."
"No!" The girl declared. Andy attempted to pull her back, but she brushed him off and stormed closer to the throne of Zeus. "You can tell the Valar that I have no interest in helping in their war. I would rather you smite me here and now."
"Percy!" Poseidon cried, stepping in front of her in case his brother decided to follow her request. He faced his daughter and smiled softly. It was filled with pity, something Percy despised with all her being. His hands here placed gently on her shoulders and she could not look anywhere but into his sea-green eyes.
"I'm not going." She firmly stated. "I can't."
"You can. And you must." He informed her. "An entire world is at stake Persephone. We have not had contact for the Valar for centuries. If they require our help, we have to provide it."
"But why does it have to be me?" She asked frantically. Her next question was softer, meant only for her father's ears. "Haven't I done enough?"
"You have, my child. And we shall ask no more of you when you have returned home."
"If I return home!" Percy shouted. It was rare that she raised her voice as she was in that moment. A storm could faintly be heard brewing as she grew more and more angered. Her eyes were like looking directly at a hurricane, dangerous and destructive. "What if they never send me back?!"
"I swear to you, Percy, you will return." He vowed. Percy's shoulders sank. She knew she had no choice in the matter. If the gods decided that she would go, that was what would happen. Her fate had been decided for her long before she stepped foot in front of the council today.
Poseidon removed his hands from her shoulders and allowed her to speak to the Olympians that awaited her next word.
"This is it." She said, scanning each god's face and waiting for disagreement. "When I'm back you will ask nothing more from me and nothing more from Andy for as long as we live."
"I swear on the River Styx that I, nor any other god, shall ask anything more from Persephone Jackson or Andrew Chase once this quest has been completed as long as they both shall live." Zeus swore. Thunder echoed throughout Olympus as the pact was made.
Percy gave a grin, tight-lipped smile as she turned her attention to Andy. A silence washed over them as their eyes met. The grey and sea green crashed together like the waves upon a rock. Andy did not waste another moment. He stepped forward and drew Percy towards him.
Their lips met, interlocking as though they were meant to be together. The kiss was not soft or gentle like it is commonly depicted in the movies and books. It was rough and passionate, like they were the only two people on the earth. Sparks didn't fly at the contact, roaring flames lit.
Andy's hands gripped Percy's raven black hair and he held her close, ignoring the gods which surrounded them. Both of their eyes were screwed shut as they basked in the moment that they were sharing. Percy's hands settled on the boy's chest, the feeling of his heart pounding matching hers beat for beat. In that second, she was content.
"Wait for me?" She whispered as they broke apart. Andy took her scarred hands in his own and leaned down until his lips were barely an inch away from her ear.
"In every lifetime."
In silent unison, the two demigods turned to face the Olympians. The daughter of Poseidon steps forward, yet she did not release her grasp on Andy's hand. She wanted to hold onto him as long as she possibly could.
"Please tell my mom I love her." Pleaded Percy, looking to her father. "Tell her I'll see her again."
"She shall know." Poseidon nodded. He bowed his head. Apollo followed suit, and before long each and every god's head was inclined toward the teenager. The sign of respect given to her by the council was unlike any before.
"It is time, Persephone." Zeus spoke as he rose to his feet. Lightning poured off his fingertips like water from Niagara Falls. His eyes were white and crackled with energy. The king of the gods raised his right hand and swiftly brought it down. A blinding flash of white erupted in the room.
Percy no longer stood before the council. Her powerful aura could no longer be felt by any of the gods. Her fingers were no longer intertwined with Andy's.
She was gone.
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