Castaway (Chapter 4)

Quote: "Good never comes without evil."

Flashback Ends

I walked out of camp, heading to Mom and Paul. I needed to see them, nobody but them could comfort me. I headed to Manhatten, but that would take a few hours without Blackjack. I hope he is doing well, I told him goodbye and gave him some sugar cubes. Mrs. O Leary was sad, but she knew why I left. She planned to go live with Cerebrus in the Underworld.

I opened my palm and I released summoned some blue fire. I wondered, I have seen fire warping, I wonder if this fire is the same. I quickly thought of fire traveling, spread both my hands and ran forward.

I felt the fire encase me, it wasn't hot oddly, and when I opened my eyes, I was in front of my Parents house. I walk inside and I expect to smell the newly baked cookies, but I dont.

I get a bit worried, so I begin to search. I see rips and tears in the rooms. Now I am really scared. I make my way to the kitchen, and what I see shocks me.

Paul and Mom lying on the ground, not moving, paler than Hades himself. I quickly rush forward and check them. Cold. No pulse. No, this can't be happening. Why is it that after all I have done, this fate is given to me. The fates really are cruel. I let the tears fall out, I teleport Mom and Paul to the Oceanside, where I lay them on the water, hopefully giving them a burial at see. I notice a paper sticking back at the house.

Perseus Jackson

You killed me, and for that, demigod, you shall pay the price. Your parents were easy to dispose of, and I promise you, that you are next. You shall endure the pain of a thousand suns. Nothing can save you weakling, your suffering shall never end.

-Gaea

I put the letter in my pocket. My flames start to appear in the wake of my rage. I sit on a chair and cry. They are gone. Because of me. Me. It is my fault that I lost so many who cared about me. It's time to end it. No point in living anymore.

I teleport to Olympus, and burst in the council, all the gods surprised at my sudden appearence.

"Perseus what is the meaning of this intrusion?" Asked Zeus angrily.

I reply "I have come with a request, one you will enjoy."

The gods listened up

"I wish to end my suffering." I spoke sadly

Most gods looked surprised. Why would the hero of olympus want to die? Zeus spoke up "Why would you wish to die demigod?" I sigh "Because there is nothing left for me anymore."

Athena yelled "And you would abandon my daughter you sea scum?"

I glare at her, my eyes flickering with blue flames, making Poseiden jump.

"No, I didn't. She did. She cheated on me for Jack. Ask Aphrodite" I reply.

"You lie, sea spawn. Aphrodite, tell me the boy is lying." Snapped Athena.

Aphrodite sighs. "He speaks the truth Athena. Your daughter cheated on Percy for Jack Forrester. I felt his heartbreak and it pained to see such a good man's heart broken."

Athena looked in disbelief, as well as many of the gods. Athena was rarely wrong. She looked at me with hatred. She was never wrong.

"At least she made the right choice, that spawn of the sea is a much better man than you are" Athena countered.

Surprisingly, the Queen of the Gods spoke up "Face it Athena, your child made a mistake. I am the goddess of Family, and I know that it was a mistake. Jack is a selfish, arrogant, and stupid man. While Perseus here is not my favorite, he has shown devotion, sacrifice, and courage to your spawn, who never returned it."

I bowed to Hera, thanking her.

Athena looked constipated, she was silenced.

Suddenly Poseiden rose up. "Perseus, why do you have blue flames as a child of water?"

I look at him, he didn't call me son. I was no longer his child. He didn't want me.

I sigh "I can summon it and control it like water."

The council was stunned. Zeus started "This is a new development. Aquatic fire is extremely dangerous. One who can wield it can eventually kill gods or titans. You are the first demigod to ever be able to master it in all of time. This flame is so hot, water is practically gasoline to it. Hestia and Hepheastus have no power over it."

Poseiden also spoke "This means you are too powerful to leave alive. You threaten our existance."

I was shocked. First of all, I came here to die, but now they think I would go against them?

I speak up " I would never betray Olympus, but I do wish to die."

Some gods became uncomfortable.

Zeus suggested an idea "Let us put it into a vote. All in favor of this demigod living or..." Zeus stopped as he talked with the other gods mentally, so I can't hear them. Some gods agreed, some were outraged.

"Who wishes to vote on him to live?" Asked Zeus to the council. Hestia, Hades, Apollo, Hepheastus, Hermes, and Aphrodite raised their hands.

Hestia was always fond of Percy, he trusted her with Hope, and restored her throne. Hades was grateful of Percy because he did return his helm, as well as gave his children a home, and gave him his throne. Apollo did like Percy, he didnt always bow down and everything, and he did help save Artemis. He glared at his sister for not helping, he knew that she hadn't voted to help him because he was a boy.Hepheastus did respect Percy since he did help him save a good Forge.Hermes favored Percy, for obvious reasons. (Luke)Aphrodite just favored Percy since he didnt need a bad fate after such heartbreak.

"Now who votes for the second option?" Yelled Zeus. I didnt know what the "second option" was but hopefully it was a quick death.

Ares, Demeter, Poseiden, Zeus, Athena, Artemis, Dionysus, and Hera raised their hands.

"Then it is decided! Perseus Jackson will not live!" Zeus boomed. The gods who voted for me to live were outraged, I didnt know why, I wanted to end my pain.

Zeus shot an orb at me, I expected pain, but it didnt come. I opened my eyes......I was still in the council room.

"Why am I still here? What did that orb do?" I asked.

Athena smiled "We did not vote for you to die, we sentenced you to Tartarus, and that orb made you immortal, so you will suffer forever."

WHAT? "Why, I saved all of you, why are you doing this?" I said outraged

"Because demigod, you are too powerful and unpredictable. You shall rot forever." Zeus spoke and Poseiden nodded.

I began to speak but was cut off "You have one hour to say goodbye." spoke Athena as the gods flashed out, leaving me with the gods who voted with me to live.

The 6 gods looked at me sadly, and I let the tears fall out. I was immortal, I would never see my parents again.

Hestia hugged me tightly and spoke "Percy, you do not deserve this on you at all. I have never seen a demigod so pure as you, yet you get this fate upon you. You deserve my greatest gift I have not given in millenia. Percy, will you be my Champion?" She asked

"Yes, Lady Hestia. I accept.". I anwered. She blessed me and said I can control normal flames, and summon food from the hearth. She wished me luck inside the dreaded pit.. I thanked her and gave one last hug. Hades was next.

"Perseus, I may not have liked you, but Poseiden was foolish to disown you. He thinks it is because of you they are dead. I have made sure Sally and Paul have reached paradise. You have my blessing. You shall be able to summon precious gems and as a gift you shall have this." Hades pulled out a sword of pure black. A stygion iron sword, very effective in Tartarus. It matched Riptide and was named Bane.

I thank Hades and he smiles for once. "I wish you luck Demigod, may you find peace one day."He flashed out of the room, Hepheastus was up next.

He gave a sad grin. "Aye, a hero like you should be happy, not given such treatment. I give you basic knowledge on crafting and building, as well as the ability to summon basis material such as gold, iron, wood, etc. I wish you the best of luck, you will need it." I thanked him and he flashed out.

Apollo stepped up "Look, I'm really sorry about my sister's actions. I dont know why she wouldn't help you, especially when you saved her. I bless you with the ability to heal, and Archery. You will no longer be cursed with a bow" Apollo smiled sadly. I give him a brofist and he flashes out.

Hermes walked forward, looking very upset. " I am ashamed of my family's actions. You are the least-deserving of this, especially after what you did for us, and Luke. I give you the ability of faster speed, able to summon small objects, and to detect lies. You will need it." I thank him and tell him that Luke was the best of us. He smiled as he flashed out.

Lastly was Aphrodite. She had tears all over her face, messing up her makeup. "Oh Percy, you poor boy. Even after all that has happened, you still accept fate." I sigh. She continues "I am sorry I cannot help too much, but I bless you with the ability to summon clean clothes and well.....look more handsome." Even though the second part wasn"t very useful, I thank her and she flashes out.

The gods who voted for me to die flash in, all glaring at me. They all lead me to the entrance to Tartarus, insulting me as we went. When we made it, I was lowered into the pit. Well, no going back. I feel tears in my eyes.

"Any last words, demigod?" asks Zeus

"Yes, Zeus, I will inform all of you that this is a mistake. The next time you all need me, I will not be there to help. You have gained my trust and threw it away. I no longer serve Olympus. You will beg for my help, and I will not. I will watch as Olympus burns, not by me, but by the next threat that rises, whether it is Gaea or Kronos." I spat.

Some gods glared, some looked a bit worried, they knew they were getting rid of Olympus's greatest warrior.

Zeus dropped me into the void, and I fell into the pit, darkness surrounding me. I fell for about an hour, I was reminded of Thalia's fear of heights, and remembering that I will never see her again. The pit was just a hole with nothing. Nothing but darkness and shadows. I finally hit ground and I look around.

Tartarus looked the same as before. Dark, sandy, dry, and evil. Well, I gotta start somewhere. I need a shelter, but once again, I think of Damasean, the peaceful giant who used to live in a hut until he died getting me and her out.

I sigh, I heard carrying all this baggage isn't good. I dont have time to cry, I need to make it to Damasean's old hut, hopefully I can make it. I start traveling to the swamps, killing dozens of monsters on the way, forcing them to tell where the swamps are.

I make it to the swamp, im not even sure if it is night, it is always dark in Tartarus. I see Damasean's hut, its old, but well made. I go inside, I see some Drakon meat still here from last time. I eat it, I found out Hestia's food blessing does not work well since I am so far away from the hearth sadly. I can only summon food about once a week. I start a fire, cooking the meat, sacrifice some to the gods that have tried to save me, eat some, and sleep on Damasean's old bed.

I start to break down as I try to sleep, nightmares following me everywhere. Im not even sure if I was still sane, but I need to hang on, Mom wouldn't want me to lose myself. I breathe slowly, letting my eyes drift, ending my first day/night in Tartarus.