Song For This Chapter: I Follow Rivers - Lykke Li (I love this song for Olive's decision)

Ch. 29: The New Lieutenant

    The warm, salt water crashed against my calves as I ran, heart beating erratically, lungs trying to keep up with the movement. The closer I got to the depths, the more human I began to feel. I had started to forget what I was like to grow physically tired when I was a goddess, for my body to need a rest. It was amazing. 

    Slick, grainy sand slipped between my toes the further I ran, and, as the sun hit the direct center of the sky, my body was hurtled up ward, vision going black. 

    It was as being pulled through a vacuum of space, there was no oxygen and there was nothing to see. My head began to wail in agony as my lungs protested the sucking sensation, craving air, but none was to be had. I was going to suffocate on my way back up to life. Was that possible? Could I die on my way to live?

    Hurtling through space, I suddenly was filled with the sensation of my back slamming against a hard, smooth surface, as if I'd fallen on my back from a tall height. No longer able to take the rushing pain in my chest, I opened my eyes and shot up into a sitting position, gasping for a breath of life. 

    I let my eyes adjust to the room around me as my breathing slowed, brain's pulsing subsiding to a numbing rush. "Olive," A caring, soft voice breathed out and my eyes flickered towards the entrance of the great hall where Percy was standing beside Annabeth, Thalia, and Grover.

    A slow smile spread on his face and the way Percy's eyes lit up made my whole decision seem all the more right to me. His eyes were filled with joy. 

    Grinning back at him, I felt my strength return. It was small, as if I'd been sleeping for a year. My muscles ached and my joints were soar, but as I locked eyes with him, my heart fluttered happily in my chest. "Percy."

    There was a gruff sound of someone clearing their throat, and I glanced up to see all twelve Olympians staring down at the five of us in mild amusement, but calculating brows. Something big was being deliberated. I honestly couldn't believe they had all gathered for this occasion.

    Zeus seemed to be considering something that had been said before I had come back on the scene. His eyes drifted to his daughter Thalia. "And what of the risk? Kronos knows full well, if one of you were to sacrifice the beast's entrails, you would have the power to destroy us. Do you think we can let that possibility remain? You, my daughter, will turn sixteen on the morrow, just as the prophecy says."

    At first, I was uncertain about what Zeus had meant, but as my gaze roamed the Olympian's meeting hall, I found that Bessie was floating, quite contently, in a bubble beside me. In fact, as I looked more carefully, I realized that I was sitting high up on a platform above a hearth in the middle of the room, almost chest level with the gods on their various, high platformed thrones.

    How was I going to get down? I could no longer morph from human size to god size. I was stuck until on of the gods decided I was worthy enough to be placed down. Stretching my sore arms above my head, I caught sight of my skin and nearly flinched. 

    Pale, silver light was radiating from my very pores, it wasn't merely the average glow that I would take on at night, but the vibrant shimmer that my mother, Artemis herself, had showcased every day and night. I was officially the full daughter of Artemis. 

    "You have to trust them," Annabeth's regal, but obviously panicked, voice spoke up. "Sir, you have to trust them."

    Zeus scowled, electrifying eyes narrowing at the sight of Athena's daughter. "Trust a hero?"

    "Annabeth is right," Artemis said, leaning forward on her throne, eyes trained on me despite the fact that she was addressing her father. "Which is why I must first make a reward. My faithful companion, Zoe Nightshade, has passed into the stars," Artemis lowered her head in respect, giving a moment's pause to her speech.

    "I think it is time you joined your friends, don't you think, Olive?" A chuckle sounded in my ear as Apollo stepped from his throne and reached out a large hand. Smiling at my father, I nodded and grabbed onto his outstretched hand, allowing him to guide me safely down to the marble floors below. 

    "Thank you -" my brow furrowed as I cut myself off. Hera had told me that once I came back, I would lose Apollo and Ares as my parents, but some part of it still didn't feel right. 

    Apollo sensed my discomfort and shook his head at me, "I'm still your father, no matter what Lady Hera says. I put you into this world, so, you are mine." 

    My eyes watered as I peered into Apollo's eyes. My eyes. They were still living proof that we were of the same blood, of the same make. And, as I let his words sink in, I realized that he had said the exact words I had wanted him to say when I'd first found out I was a demigod. I had wanted him to claim me for his own. To call me his. It was more than I could have ever hoped for. 

    He'd told me that I was his daughter before, but none of those times felt as meaningful as when he said it now.

    I threw my arms against Apollo's chest, he was still too large to properly hug, and thanked him for being so kind to me. It truly meant a lot. "Not a problem, kiddo," Apollo snickered lightly, patting my head before lightly hugging me back. "Go hang tight with your friends, everything will be alright." He reassured me, pointing me around towards Annabeth and Percy who were watching from the sidelines, small smiles painted on their faces.

     Sparing Apollo one last glance, I rushed towards the others, receiving welcoming hugs and congratulations. "Welcome back to the world of the living, again." Percy smirked, hugging me for a brief moment before letting Annabeth get to me.

    "Olive!" Her grey eyes swam, grin practically breaking her face in two. "I missed you so much, I-I thought you were -" She cut herself off, ducking her head as her blonde curls swayed with her motions, "I'm so sorry."

    I shook my head at my friend, "Don't be stupid, Anna. I know you only function on one level, and that level is logic. I forgive you." I winked at her, showing the daughter of Athena that she had no need to be mournful of her battle tactics.

    Artemis smiled down at the scene and called the room's attention once more. "I must have a new lieutenant," Her silvery eyes flickered towards me with a soft, melancholy smile, "And I intend to choose one. But first, Father Zeus, I must speak to you privately."

    Percy went stiff beside me, "Olive," he murmured under his breath, trying to quietly get my attention. Raising a brow, I turned to him and cocked my head to the side. "Don't," he merely stated, sea green eyes growing wider as Artemis whispered in Zeus's ear.

    "What?" I fought a chuckle; I knew what he was referring to, but I just wanted him to say it out loud. To tell me that he wanted me to say mortal, to live out life in Camp, doing gods know what. I realized then that I hadn't fully thought that one out. What was I going to do now that I was no longer immortal? I had no home, not anymore. 

    Percy's eyes flickered from the throne that Aphrodite was lounging in, her green eyes watching us with plain amusement. "Look, I need you to know," He continued, lifting a shaky hand to the back of his neck and rubbing nervously, "I-I couldn't stand it if - I mean... I, I don't want you to -"

    Annabeth lay a hand on Percy's shoulder, brow crumpling in worry. "Seaweed Brain, you look as if you're going to be sick."

    Percy's eyes danced from her to me, mouth gaping, but not being able to find the words. Frowning a little at him, I took in his appearance. He seemed older, and, grey hair streaked the sides on his head, mingling in with the black. The weight of the world must have taken a large toll on him too.

    I opened my mouth to reassure him, to calm him down from his nervousness. I had just chosen love, I wasn't about to agree to sign up for that job. It was actually quite cute, how he wanted to tell me how he really felt, yet couldn't find the proper words. However, I was cut off by Artemis as she broke her conversation with Zeus.

    "I shall have a new lieutenant," My mother proclaimed, a firm look in her eye as she peered down at the five of us. "Thalia, Daughter of Zeus, will you join the Hunt?" 

    Stunned silence filled the room, and, a wicked grin crept on my mouth as all eyes landed on the punk girl. Thalia herself seemed shocked, but Annabeth was beaming with the same familiar gleam of knowing in her grey eyes. Know-it-all.

    Thalia's eyes latched onto mine, trying to figure out how I was reacting to the statement. I was generally happy for her, but I was concerned that she would tell my mother no. I was well aware of Thalia's feelings towards the Hunters. Hopefully they had changed some time during our journey.

    Swallowing a lump in her throat, Thalia nodded, "I will," her voice was firm despite her wild eyes. 

    Zeus's eyes filled with concern as he gazed down at his daughter. "My daughter, consider well the -"

    Thalia shook her head and sighed, "Father, I will not turn sixteen tomorrow. And, I never will. I will stand with my sister Artemis, and, Kronos will never tempt me again." Thalia approached my mother and knelt down, beginning to recite the words of a Hunter's oath.

    When she was done, she strode towards me, electrifyingly blue eyes boring into my soul. "Olive," she smiled at me and pulled me into her arms, hugging me tight. "It has been nice getting to know you, and I'm proud to be your friend." I hugged her back quickly.

    "I'm proud as well; you have spunk." I told her, grinning.

    After me, she moved down the line to hug Percy, then Annabeth who appeared to be on the verge of tears, then Grover, who seemed just as ecstatic about her joining the hunters as Artemis herself.

    Poseidon nodded and focused his attention on the important task at hand. "As for the Ophiotaurus, I will protect it under the sea, and I can vouch for my son. He should not be destroyed."

    "You won't take it under the sea!" Zeus stood suddenly. "I won't have that kind of bargaining chip in your possession." I flinched slightly at the corse nature of his voice, trying to remain confident in his presence. 

    Poseidon sighed and cradled the bridge of his nose between his forefinger and thumb. "Fine," Poseidon said. "I will build an aquarium for the creature here. Hephaestus can help me. The creature will be safe. We shall protect it with all our powers. The boy will not betray us. I vouch for this on my honor."

    Athena's steel eyes hardened at the debate, but she cleared her throat and announced the voting. "All in favor of this proposition?" 

    I watched as, one by one, hands began to raise up until only three gods had omitted from the vote. Mr. D, Ares, and Athena. I spared Dionysus an annoyed glare, but he overlooked it, pretending I wasn't even there. 

    "We have the majority," Zeus nodded, leaning back in his throne, losing all form of rigidness. "Since we will not be destroying these heroes... I imagine we should honor them. Let the triumph celebration begin!"

    The party suddenly sprouted up from all around us, different drinks flowed and the music was cranked up loud. I walked towards Apollo who was waving me over, motioning towards his guest. "I just wanted to congratulate you on your success," he smirked.

    Beside him, Artemis stepped forward and embraced me, "Oliviae, you have done well," her eyes softened as she pulled away. "I hope you are not disappointed I didn't offer the position of Lieutenant to you." 

    Shaking my head, I locked eyes with Artemis. "Not at all, you chose wisely, mother." 

    Artemis smiled softly. "And so did you, Olive. I know I can be rather difficult, but I care. You made the right choice for you back there, and I am proud of you for it." My heart swelled at her words and I ducked my head.

    After a moment, Artemis and Apollo left to receive other guests, and I was standing in the middle of a grand hall, all alone. The warm smile on my face slowly began to subside. Reality sinking in. Where was I to go from here? Was it a mistake to give up my immortality so soon? Had Mr. D been right? 

    Sighing, I made my way out into the courtyard where lights were strung all around, music louder than ever as the gods celebrated the winter solstice. The cool air blew against my exposed arms and I shivered in slight confusion. 

    I glanced down and noted that someone had changed me into the elegant dress that Aphrodite had leant me, and I was impressed that not one crease had been crinkled on it. It was in perfect condition. 

    "Admiring it?" A velvety voice ran out from beside me, causing me to jolt with a small scare as the woman caught me off guard. Glancing up, I locked eyes with emerald ones as the sultry Aphrodite smirked at me, red hair pulled back in an intricate bun. "I was surprised to see what it was in good condition, Olive."

    Chuckling, I scratched the back of my neck. "Well, I was determined to keep it in good condition. Something told me you wouldn't be too happy if it got ruined." 

    "That would be correct," she teased a little, letting a sigh slip out of her lips as we both turned our gazes on the starry night sky. "You made a great choice, Oliviae," She mentioned, angling her flawless face towards me, but never taking her eyes off the stars. "If you'd decided to stay immortal, I would have had to stick with plotting your love life with a minor god of nature, of course, it wouldn't have been started for another fifty years." She shuddered dramatically, "But, you can imagine my joy that I don't have to wait that long."

    "Oh, really?" I mused, trying to entertain her imagination. I was actually surprised about how much attention she'd given my love life. "Do you always pay this much attention to everyone's love affairs?" I questioned, pulling my ebony hair over my shoulder. 

    Aphrodite tossed her head back and let out a boisterous laugh. "No no, sweetheart." She adjusted her hair, despite the fact that I hadn't noticed anything wrong with it. "Demigods get special attention, but you girls, you girls have proved to be... extra difficult." She smirked.

    I frowned, turning my full attention on her. "'You girls?' What do you mean by that?"

    "Well, the Smiths, of course. Your mother was.... difficult," She hissed out, eyes flickering across the party to glare at Apollo as he played around with a bow and arrows. "That relationship did not go as planned," She shook her head, as if shaking off bad memories, "And, you and Penny were the consequences of that mistake - so, I guess Fate has it out for you as far as love goes."

    Furrowing my brow, I debated asking her what she'd meant about Scarlett and Apollo's relationship, but I restrained myself. It was in the past.

    Aphrodite winked at me, "Besides, between you and your sister," she put her hands in her leather jacket that she was sporting over a mini dress, "You have the easier path. Penelope is in for a... a challenge."

    Aphrodite turned on her heel and began to walk away, waving me off. "I'll be keeping a hand in your affairs still, but be sure to have fun, sweetheart."

    I glanced back at the party, watching Annabeth dance with a minor god, Grover chatting with some nymphs, and Percy having a serious conversation with his father. Smiling at the sight of their fun, I decided to head out from the party and walk towards the beach, where my house was. 

    All this time spent building this place, all the lines crossed to get it built on the edge of Poseidon's territory. All for nothing. I couldn't live here anymore. 

    "This is a nice place," A voice rang out behind me, causing me to turn on my heel and peer into the forever familiar green eyes. "Is it yours?" Percy asked, stepping up beside me. The music could still be heard from the party nearby.

    I nodded. "Yup, this was my house."

    "Was?" Percy rose a brow, taking in the wide arches and stone furnishings. He lowered his eyes back to mine and nodded, recognition on his face. "Right."

    Annabeth's face popped into my mind, and I remembered what Aphrodite had talked about earlier. I didn't want to play her game any more. I wanted to be happy for once. My mind flashed back to the junk yard, and Ares appearing in a limo with Aphrodite. Ares had said Aphrodite wanted to talk with Percy about Annabeth. 

    "Where's Annabeth?" I swallowed a small lump in my throat, gnawing on my bottom lip. 

    Percy seemed surprised by my question, but thought about it. "She's dancing with some one on the dance floor, I guess. I haven't really paid too much mind."

    "So," I led Percy up my porch and sat down on the porch swing Apollo had forced me to get. I did like it. It would be one of the things that I'd miss when I left down to Earth again. "What did you want to tell me earlier?" 

    "I didn't want you to join the Hunt because..." He trailed off, lowering his head so he didn't have to look me directly in my eyes.

    "Because?" I prodded.

    He sighed, glancing up shyly and smirking at the same time. It was a contradiction on his face. "I didn't want you to join the Hunt because I didn't... I didn't want to lose you to them again. Your mother took you last time and I didn't see you again for over a year. And, this time - I had no idea if I'd ever see you again." He admitted, and I blushed, turning my head away. 

    Taking a breath, I stood back up and extended my hand to him as a slow, classical song began playing in the distance. "Do you want to dance with me, or not?" 

    Percy grinned and got to his feet, taking my right hand into his and placing one hand on my waist, and I did the same. "Of course I want to dance with you."

    And so, we danced. And we kept dancing, until the song ended, until the night sky burst pink with the color of the rising sun. 

    And then, we danced some more.

~~~~

The epilogue is next ;/ it's practically over, guys!