2 Years after the Second Giant War
(Percy's POV)
Good gods, that took way longer than it was supposed to. Annabeth is going to kill me when I get back, I've been stuck on this stupid quest for Aphrodite for weeks; trying to find the Nemean Lion. You would think that finding a two ton lion the size of a garbage truck wouldn't be hard but you would be surprised. The worst part about it was killing the damn thing. Apparently Aphrodite wants the pelt as a house decoration, and stabbing it in the mouth could 'ruin the quality of the fur'. So I had to take one out of Heracles' playbook and strangle it, which was like trying to ride a drunk Minotaur. Strangely enough it turned into an actual pelt this time, not a duster like when Zoë killed it in the museum. Now, walking out of JFK airport (Zeus finally got his lightning bolt out of his ass and let me take a plane), Nemean Lion pelt in my hands, there's nothing more in the world that I want than a good night's sleep, a shower, and maybe a cookie. Sadly, the quest comes first. I did a loud taxicab whistle, and not even five minutes later a dark shape appears in the sky. 'Another job well done boss?'
"No Blackjack, I just decided to take a 5 week vacation and grab a Nemean Lions Pelt from the Home Depot on 23rd street." I replied, while hopping on to Blackjack's back.
'Well you don't have to be so snappy about it boss.'
"Just get us to Olympus buddy. And stop calling me boss." The rest of the ride was silent; strangely enough. Which gave me time to think over the events of the past year, which has been quest, after quest, after quest.
When I used my wish from the Giant War to allow the gods to talk to their children and other Demigods more, I didn't think they'd start letting Demigods 'prove themselves' more often, sending them on quests more often than talking to them. However, after the first camper failed (and many more severely injured), the gods started giving them to people who had experience in questing; in other words: me. Which I don't know if I should be thankful or annoyed. Thankful that the gods aren't sending children to their deaths. Or annoyed that I don't get to spend more time with Annabeth, helping her with getting through Tartarus. Thankfully Demigod brains are physically incapable of having PTSD, but that doesn't mean that sometimes a painful memory won't pop up. Another big positive was actually Dionysus curing my brain of any 'lingering madnes or insanity', whatever that means, although Annabeth would never let him help. Her pride won't let her admit that she needs help.
I was snapped out of my thoughts when Blackjack did a nose dive, scaring the schist out of me, and landed infront of Aphrodite's palace. I nearly gagged when I smelled the perfume coming off it. After saying goodbye to Blackjack, I took probably the last deep breath of non intoxicated air I would get for a while and knocked on Aphrodite's palace door.
After about 5 minutes of waiting, a puffy eyed goddess opened the door, who looked like she was about to have a panick attack when she saw me. She seemed to calm herself after a minute or two and just looked at me sadly, "Keep the pelt Perseus, you deserve it after the 5 weeks." And proceeded to shut the door in my face. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. She just let me keep the pelt, no arguement whatsoever, no 'I expect a sacrifice everyday for 1000 years for my generosity'. Nothing. And then she slams the door in my face.
I just shook my head and sighed. Gods. You never know what to expect with them. I threw the pelt on and tied it using the lion's paws, and a plan worthy of Athena came to mind: I could use this for some epic pranks at camp. Besides it'll make any new quests I'm bound to get about a million times easier, but that's just a small bonus. I decided to go check on the throne room, hopefully my dad will be there. If not I can always talk to Hestia; she's usually there or Camp-Halfblood
Besides, what could go wrong with barging into the throne room of the same gods that have tried to kill you plenty of times for living? Best case scenario Hestia has some cookies. Worst case scenario, Zeus throws his master bolt at me, killing me instantly. I see this as a win-win.
On my way to the throne room, I started looking around and fully taking in the new architecture, recognizing a statue every now and then that Annabeth would show me in her designs. After what my ADHD brain made out to be forever, I made it to the throne room doors. If there's anything good these quests did for me, it was get me into shape. Two years ago, I would've struggled to pull open the newly installed 25ft tall doors, which are made up of a plethora of jewels and reinforced by imperial gold. Apparently they were needed so they didn't keep breaking the door when entering at their godly height. What they didn't consider was how the Demigods would open the doors. Now, thank the gods, I was strong enough to pull them open without breaking too much of a sweat.
The throne room was relatively empty, with only Zeus and Hestia in it, who seemed to be arguing in hushed tones, which immediately halted when they saw me walk in. Zeus decided to cut the silence, "Ah nephew, I was wondering when you would be coming back. We were just talking about you."
Slightly shocked at the kind tone Zeus was using I replied warily, "Uh, thank you Lord Zeus, what exactly was it you were talking about?"
"Oh nothing bad Perseus, just discussing a reward that should be given for all the quests you've completed," Hestia reassures me.
"It would seem that young Perseus already got a reward in the Nemean Lions pelt, I don't see why that can't be it." Zeus argues back with Hestia, earning a glare in response.
"That was a spoils for killing the lion, not a reward for the hundreds of quests he's done," Hestia argues back, "and don't you dare refuse this Perseus Jackson. You're getting a reward, you should not be used as the gods' quest toy and get nothing in return." I just gulped and nodded in return, Hestia can be scary sometimes.
"Yes but does it have to be that particular reward? The weapon should not be given to anyone." Now I was curious. What weapon?
"You know that only someone that is worthy to use it could take it from my Hearth. Why do you think he was weaponless when you came back from fighting Typhoon?" I mentally groaned at the mention of being worthy. To gods, being worthy translates to: 'go do some impossible quest and maybe I'll let you do it'.
Zeus just sighed and said, "Fine. Perseus walk up to the Hearth and try to take the weapon."
"Uh Lord Zeus, what weapon exactly?"
"Kronos's Scythe of course, what other weapon would be in the Hearth? If you can take it, we'll talk about your other reward. If not, it's less of a headache I'll be getting later.