Indigo Eyes

Chapter 131

Cressida was incredibly bored as Zeus droned on about the bravery of the gods as she fidgeted with her charm bracelet, the charm for her sixteenth birthday from Percy missing because he promised he would give her one after the war was over. A little incentive that she survive.

Annabeth eventually walked over to join her friends, Cressida greeting her with a hug.

"Miss much?" she asked.

"Nobody's trying to kill us so far," Percy whispered back.

"First time today," Cressida smirked and Percy cracked up before Grover nudged him as Hera gave them a dirty look that Cressida just returned.

"As for my brothers," Zeus said, "we are thankful –" he cleared his throat, like the words were hard to get out – "erm, thankful for the aid of Hades." 

The Lord of the Dead nodded. He had a smug look on his face, but he definitely earned the right, especially after he saved Cressida, not that Percy had told her about that yet. He patted his son Nico on the shoulders, and Nico looked happier than ever before.

"And, of course," Zeus continued, though he looked like his pants were smouldering, "we must ... um ... thank Poseidon."

"I'm sorry, brother," Poseidon said. "What was that?"

"We must thank Poseidon," Zeus growled. "Without whom ... it would've been difficult –"

"Difficult?" Poseidon asked innocently.

"Impossible," Zeus said. "Impossible to defeat Typhon."

The gods murmured agreement and pounded their weapons in approval.

"Which leaves us," Zeus said, "only the matter of thanking our young demigod heroes, who defended Olympus so well – even if there were a few dents in my throne."

He called Thalia forward first, since she was his daughter, and promised her help in filling the Hunters' ranks.

Artemis smiled. "You have done well, my lieutenant. You have made me proud, and all those Hunters who perished in my service will never be forgotten. They will achieve Elysium, I am sure."

She glared pointedly at Hades.

He shrugged. "Probably."

Artemis glared at him some more.

"Okay," Hades grumbled. "I'll streamline their application process."

Thalia beamed with pride. "Thank you, my lady." She bowed to the gods, even Hades, and then limped over to stand by Artemis's side.

"Tyson, son of Poseidon!" Zeus called. 

Tyson looked nervous, but he went to stand in the middle of the council, and Zeus grunted.

"Doesn't miss many meals, does he?" Zeus muttered. "Tyson, for your bravery in the war, and for leading the Cyclopes, you are appointed a general in the armies of Olympus. You shall henceforth lead your brethren into war whenever required by the gods. And you shall have a new ... um ... what kind of weapon would you like? A sword? An axe?"

"Stick!" Tyson said, showing his broken club.

"Very well," Zeus said. "We will grant you a new, er, stick. The best stick that may be found."

"Hooray!" Tyson cried, and all the Cyclopes cheered and pounded him on the back as he rejoined them.

"Grover Underwood of the satyrs!" Dionysus called, Pollux standing by his feet, a grin on his face as he waited for his sister's turn.

Grover came forward nervously.

"Oh, stop chewing your shirt," Dionysus chided. "Honestly, I'm not going to blast you. For your bravery and sacrifice, blah, blah, blah, and since we have an unfortunate vacancy, the gods have seen fit to name you a member of the Council of Cloven Elders."