He Who Rose From the Ashes

Chapter 2

 "All rise." Zeus said, holding his Master Bolt at the ready. "Percy, I will warn you now, the process will likely be very painful, so brace yourself for what is to come. Once it has begun, we cannot stop for a break." I only nodded in response, steeling myself for what happens next.

He raised his Master Bolt and sent an arc of crackling light straight into my chest. At first there was nothing, then I was aware of a tickling feeling in my gut. That feeling steadily grew, until I was rolling on the ground, tears smarting in my eyes from uncontrollable laughter. "Uhhh, ok then. It appears that my blessing has altered itself in response to his life's hardship to give him joy instead of pain. Odd, but I will not complain."

As he stepped back, Hera stepped forward. "Perseus, there is none more deserving of the title of godhood than you, use your power well." With a smile she threw an orb of pure godly power into my chest. This one felt different than the first, while it didn't hurt, there was a feeling of completeness. I could feel some of my broken bonds being helped on their way to healing.

Next to come forward was my father, "Percy, I have never been so proud to be able to call someone my child. I look forward to ruling by your side." With a smile, he sent a soft, ocean blue light to me. This one fell over my being like a wave, my senses washed with a sense of strength.

Hades came after Poseidon, stepping towards me with a proud smile that could almost rival my own father's. "You have come a long way, nephew, but you have still further to go. I hope this blessing will help you on your way." Pure black, yet somehow still glowing, power was launched into my body and latching onto my soul. It felt like sitting in the shade on a hot day, cool and refreshing.

Athena was after Uncle Hades. As the Goddess of Wisdom strode forward, a look of shame came over her face, "Perseus, I am so sorry for the ill-informed decisions of my daughter. None deserve such betrayal, but you less so than others." I sent her a smile that practically screamed forgiveness, and she smiled back as she sent a beam the color of aged book pages or old scrolls, this one went into my forehead though. Something in my brain clicked, suddenly my mind opened and I found that my thoughts were clearer and less dyslexified.

Demeter stepped forward now, "Finally," she grumbled, "I'm not one for drawn out speeches so I'll just hop to it." And simple as that, she launched a deep green beam at me, the color of new leaves in spring. This one gave me a profound feeling of peace, like strolling through a path in a forest that was untouched by city pollution.

"My turn, Punk." Ares marched forward, smirking something fierce. "You ready, Punk? 'Cause this one might actually hurt a bit." Smirk never falling, a blood red beam was sent towards me, exploding at the last second and going into my limbs. Raw strength and the feeling of being in a good battle or sparring session overwhelmed me and made my legs shake. Despite the quaking, I straightened my posture and allowed the feeling to melt away. Ares and I shared a nod of acceptance and he returned to his throne.

Hephaestus was next to come forward, "Use these blessings for good, young hero. Create something new and better with them." That was all he said before what looked to be a ball of melted metal floated into me. The feeling that came along with it was startling; I had expected it to burn me, but instead I felt like I could walk through a volcano's core and be fine.

One of my favorites came next, Lady Hestia. "Hello Percy, I am happy that you have chosen this path, rather than your original one. I would be quite saddened to lose my favorite demigod." I had a wide smile set in place as a tiny comet-like fireball arced through the air. This was my favorite feeling so far; warmth, coziness, home, and a sense of belonging.

The god of thieves was next and walked forward soundlessly, "Percy, feel free to use my gift as a tool to prank some people when you want to!" A smoky grey cloud blew over to me and I felt like I could sneak up on anyone, even a mouse wouldn't hear me.

Dionysus walked up next, "Peter Johnson," he droned, making me resist rolling my eyes, "don't go thinking that I'll just let you make wine and get drunk whenever you feel like it, but hopefully you can put this gift to good use." Light the color of fine merlot seeped into my hands only, but the feeling that I got told me that it was amongst one of my strongest and most stable abilities.

I felt slight anxiety as Aphrodite skipped forward next. "Percy! You'll totally love mine!" She squealed, conjuring a sickeningly bright pink cloud (that looked oddly like perfume) and pushed it over my entire body. This one gave me...confidence. I felt confident in my appearance, but also like it could change at any given moment.

The boisterous Sun God followed after her, a blinding smile set in place. "Something like this calls for a haiku! His name is Percy, the newest god in our ranks, we both are awesome!" I couldn't help but chuckle at his antics as he created a miniature sun and let it fly over to me. I was reminded of spending time on the beach, letting the sun turn my skin golden and warm, as it fell over me.

Artemis walked toward me with all the grace and beauty I'd come to know her to have. I tilted my head down in reverence, she was his mistress now. "I look forward to working together Perseus. I hope my blessing serves you well." What looked to be pure moonlight floated off her fingertips and I felt as if my soul was split in two, making me clutch my chest. The first of the two halves felt normal except for the chittering of birds I could now decipher, but the other twisted and warped until I felt like - if I let that half take over - I could become one with the forest. I felt that I could change my form into a different one entirely and be accepted into a whole new world.

The gods and goddesses all looked at me and chanted, "All hail the new God. All hail Perseus Jackson, God of Heros, Pain, Tides, and Swordsmanship." Then they all pounded their weapons on the floor and the thrones shifted for a new one to have room to form. A throne right by my father's. (See pic)

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Sorry for the long wait!