Percy Jackson and the Search for Ogygia

Chapter 1: I Tell the Gods Off

"So you'll claim your demigod children," I said, glancing around the throne room. "All of them. No more ignoring them. No more letting them figure things out on their own while monsters try to eat them. We're done with that."

There was a ripple of agreement—reluctant in some places, genuine in others. Zeus gave a stiff nod like it physically pained him. A few of the others murmured their consent.

"Uh, there's just one more thing," I added.

Poseidon shifted on his throne.

I pointed vaguely toward Hera. "Quick question. Remember that island you sent me to?"

Hera regarded me coolly. "I have sent many heroes to many places, Percy Jackson."

"Right, yeah, that tracks. Well, this one had a cursed immortal daughter of Atlas living on it. Very nice garden. Great view. Terrible exit options."

A pause moved through the throne room. Aphrodite leaned forward like she'd just been handed the beginning of a very good story. Which made sense, since it was her "Lover's Lock" scavenger hunt Cal and I had to complete to seal the rift.

But looking back on it, it wasn't so bad.

"Thanks for that, by the way," I told Hera. "Really unforgettable experience."

Zeus's expression darkened. "Get to the point."

"Yep. Doing that. Right now." I took a breath, because if I slowed down, I might actually think about what I was saying, and that would probably make me hesitate.

So I didn't.

My words ran together. "Calypso and I may or may not have fallen in love while I was on the island and I'm going to break her curse and get her off the island and bring her back to New York." I clapped once, a little too brightly. "Okay! Good talk! Enjoy Olympus. Thanks for the prizes."

Then I turned and started walking toward the exit like if I moved fast enough, maybe the consequences wouldn't catch up to me.

I made it about three steps.

"Excuse me?" Zeus's voice hit the room like a shockwave.

I stopped and turned back slowly. "Sorry. Was 'Enjoy Olympus' too informal? I can bow on the way out if that helps."

Hermes made a strangled noise that might've been a laugh. Aphrodite covered her mouth, eyes sparkling. Poseidon just looked tired.

"Percy Jackson," Zeus said, dangerously calm, "you will explain yourself."

"Sure," I said, even though my pulse had definitely picked up. "Calypso has been stuck on Ogygia for who really knows how long. Alone. Because of something she did a really long time ago. I think years of isolation, heartbreak, and being magically trapped on an island where every person she cares about gets taken away is probably enough punishment."

Poseidon leaned forward slightly. "Son... you understand who she is. The daughter of Atlas. She aided him in the first war. She is also the granddaughter of Oceanus. The titan that led the siege on my palace?"

"I know," I said. "But she regrets it. She isn't that person anymore. And she's never even met her grandfather. Look, she deserves to be set free. And the other sympathetic titan-kind? They deserve freedom too."

Athena's gray eyes sharpened. "That is not your judgment to make, young hero."

I looked at her, genuinely confused. "Hold on...did I misunderstand something? Because I'm pretty sure you guys just offered me godhood. Like... five minutes ago. But asking for Cal's freedom is too much?"