Jay

Today was the day! Today was the winter solstice meeting and I'd finally get to see the Throne room. I had been up all night from excitement. Dad had told me some stuff about the council meetings but I never got to actually see one. But today I would and directly after that, I'd be introduced to my new teachers that would help me train to become the best hero ever!

As I was still daydreaming my father approached me. "Are you ready, son?" he asked. I could only nod excitedly. "Alright" he said and opened the Throne room doors. Most of the Gods were already there. I saw Hades talking to Poseidon, Artemis bickering with Apollo, Ares standing next to them, visibly amused. Mom was sitting in her Throne, overlooking the scene. As Apollo noticed me, he gave me a bright smile. I smiled back. My father slowly walked to the middle of the room. There stood a huge golden pedestal, no clue what for. "What's that for?" I asked my father. "You'll see" he replied. As he got closer to it, I noticed some of the gods quieting down. As Zeus reached the center, he grew to his godly height and slammed his Master Bolt into the pedestal. A huge bolt of Lightning shot up through the roof of the throne room into the sky. Within seconds the rest of the Gods flashed in. The seating pattern from left to right was: Hermes, Apollo, Artemis, Ares, Uncle P, Dad, Mum, Demeter, Athena, Hephaestus, Aphrodite and Aunt Hestia. Between Hera and Demeter a makeshift Throne had risen from the ground. It was mostly made of skulls with diamonds and other treasures in their eye sockets. Some may have found it frightening but I thought it looked cool. Seated on it was Uncle Hades who gave me a crooked grin, showing his golden teeth. Between Zeus and Poseidon I could see a small white chair with lightning bolts engraved on it. I knew it was mine.

While it may have been the size of a normal garden chair, I still liked to think of it as my throne. As I sat down, I heard my father call out from about 20 feet above me "I hereby declare the 9th biannual Olympian council meeting opened!"

---

When we arrived on Olympus Artemis quickly hugged me again. "I'm so glad you're back Jay." she said before slapping me hard across the face. "But don't you dare disappear on me again! Do you even know how depressed I was when I thought you were dead." She said angrily. I looked down in shame, I truly did know. "How are you even alive?" she asked.

"I honestly don't know. It definitely isn't by choice. My guess is that Kronos somehow trapped me in time, seeing as I also don't age." I answered truthfully. Artemis was lost in thoughts for a second before she said "We should get going. There's more people who'll want to see you"

We walked towards the throne room doors. It had been ages since I had last seen them. This place was once my home now it's just a painful reminder of old life.

When the doors opened we could see Zeus talking to Poseidon about war preparations. They were so deep in conversation, they didn't even notice us entering the room.

We stood there for a while, waiting for one of them to notice us. After about five minutes Artemis had finally had enough and cleared her throat loudly to announce our presence to the two gods. When she did Zeus replied "Cant this wait daughter? As you can see we're quite busy at the moment." "I'm sorry dad but there's someone you need to see" Artemis said gesturing to me. "I doubt a mere demigod could be of such great importance" he started before I took out my sword, igniting it in the process, and hurled it into the map they were looking at.

My Fathers head shot up. Where did you find this, boy? He said taking the sword out and pointing it at me. Since we were on Olympus, the mist didn't cloud my appearence (not that it could have fooled Zeus anyway) and I was standing there in full battle armor. I didn't have to say anything, I saw it in his eyes that he recognized me.

"Jay, my son, how can you be alive" he stuttered.

"I don't know. Like I just told my sister, I believe I was cursed by Kronos. As far as I can tell, I'm essentially immortal"

The two gods just kept staring at me. Poseidon was the first to speak up "I better let you have your little family reunion. I'll be in my palace if you need me." he said before flashing out.

Zeus was still just staring at me blankly before shaking his head slowly "If you were alive all those years, why did you never reach out? Why do you choose now to return?"

"It was not my choice father. I had to stay in hiding, lost to the world for as long as possible. I had hoped forever, but with the Rise of the Titans recommencing it was only a matter of time. Now that I've returned, I'm ready to fulfill my destiny." I told my father and sister.

Helooked thoughtful for a minute before it seemed to click in his head "The Great Prophecy" he mumbled. I just nodded slowly.

"I've feared this day ever since the damn thing was made" My father said.

"do you not trust me to protect Olympus father?" I asked.

"That is not the point son. If it was about fighting I'd trust you with my life. You know I couldn't be more proud of you. But the prophecy speaks of a choice. Choices are different, unpredictable, you never know what's wrong and what's right. You never know which decision will result in which outcome. I wouldn't trust anyone, not even myself, to make such a choice." he replied thoughtfully.

"Have I ever disappointed you? I'm confident I'll make the right choice. And after that I'll be free. I'll finally see her again. I'll see all of them again. " I said with as much determination as I could muster.

Dad looked at me sadly "You've been gone for all these years and now that you have miraculously returned you're already planning to leave again? I can't say I like your decision but if it will make you happy I will support whatever you have in mind. But for now I want you to go to Camp Half Blood. You will travel with the hunters and campers from the rescue mission. Apollo will pick you up tomorrow morning. As for you Artemis, I fear our worst predictions have come true. I need you to start your hunt right after Apollo arrives to take the heroes to camp. I will have Hermes inform everyone of your return, Jay. Everything else will be discussed at the next council meeting. You are dismissed." He said.

We both bowed respectfully before flashing out.