DIVINE! | percy jackson

chapter twenty - the council of the gods

CHAPTER TWENTY
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ESTELLA HAD never been to Olympus, so it was safe to say that she was in utter shock as the pegasi flew them above it all.

It was daybreak, and yet the streets were bustling with demigods, nature spirits, and minor godlings alike. The sky was painted with different pinks and yellows, and the clouds happened to seep into the streets. Everything smelt of jasmines and roses. The sound of lyres and reed pipes was carried around by the wind.

And ahead of them, at the top of a hill, was a glittering building: the hall of the gods.

The pegasi set them down in a courtyard, in front of giant silver gates. They didn't have to knock or say a codeword, because the gates opened themselves.

Estella suddenly felt the gravity of the situation smack her in the face. She was about to be in a room with a dozen gods at once. Her stomach sank.

Blackjack and the other pegasi soon took off, leaving the four demigods alone. For a minute they stood, staring up at the palace, just as they stood in front of Westover hall.

And then, side by side, they walked into the throne room.

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THERE WERE twelve gigantic chairs entered in a U around a hearth. The ceiling above didn't look like one, because it resembled the night sky and all its constellations. Even Zoe's was up there.

The seats were all filled with fifteen-foot-tall gods and goddesses. They regarded the teenagers with stern looks.

Estella felt especially intimidated being here, as her godly parent wasn't in this room. Even worse, Hecate was on the opposing side of the war. While Thalia, Percy, and Annabeth at least had their parents to protect them.

"Welcome heroes," Artemis said.

"Mooo!"

Bessie was swimming in a sphere at the side of the room, with Grover happily next to him. "You made it!" He cheered.

Grover started to run to them, but then realized he was turning his back on Zeus and looked back to the King of the Gods.

"Go on," he regarded, but his eyes were trained on his daughter.

Grover trotted over, his hooves filling the silence that echoed through the room. Estella regarded each of the Gods equally, but her gaze managed to fall on Poseidon for longer.

He and Percy had a stellar resemblance. They were both tan, and muscular, with curly black hair and deep green eyes. Estella realized that Poseidon was probably what Percy would look like in his old age.

Grover came by and gave each of the girls a hug, but then grasped Percy's arms. "Percy, Bessie and I made it! But you have to convince them! They can't do it!"

"Do what?" Percy asked.

"Heroes," Artemis called.

She slid down from her throne and turned to human size, walking over to them. She looked especially beautiful in her silvery robes. Like a ray of moonlight itself.

"The Council has been informed of your deeds," she said. "They know that Mount Othrys is rising in the West. They know of Atlas's attempt for freedom and the gathering armies of Kronos. We have voted to act."

There was some mumbling from the gods, signaling that not all were for it. But nobody spoke up.

"At my Lord Zeus's command, my brother Apollo and I shall hunt the most powerful monsters, seeking to strike them down before they can join the Titan's cause. Lady Athena shall personally check on the other Titans to make sure they do not escape their various prisons. Lord Poseidon has been given permission to unleash his full fury on the cruise ship Princess Andromeda and send it to the bottom of the sea. And as for you, my heroes..."