𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐎𝐟 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 (Annabeth X Malereader)

[21] The cow snake almost dies

Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darin
0:37 ━❍━━━━━ 3:01
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THEY CIRCLED OVER MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, making one complete orbit around Mount Olympus. Y/N only been there once before with Percy, traveling by elevator up to the secret six hundredth floor of the Empire State Building. This time, if it was possible, Olympus amazed him even more.

In the early-morning darkness, torches and fires made the mountainside palaces glow twenty different colours, from bloodred to indigo. Apparently no one ever slept on Olympus. The twisting streets were full of demigods and nature spirits and minor godlings bustling about, riding chariots or sedan chairs carried by Cyclopes. Winter didn't seem to exist here.

Y/N caught the scent of the gardens in full bloom, jasmine and roses and even sweeter things he couldn't name. Music drifted up from many windows, the soft sounds of lyres and reed pipes. Towering at the peak of the mountain was the greatest palace of all, the glowing white hall of the gods.

Their pegasi set them down in the outer courtyard, in front of huge silver gates. Before they could even think to knock, the gates opened by themselves.

Blackjack and his friends flew off, leaving Thalia, Annabeth, Percy and Y/N alone. For a minute, they stood there regarding the palace, the way they had stood together in front of Westover Hall, what seemed like a million years ago.

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

.

.

.

Twelve enormous thrones made a U around a central hearth, just like the placement of the cabins at camp. The ceiling above glittered with constellations—even the newest one, Zoe the Huntress, making her way across the heavens with her bow drawn.

All of the seats were occupied. Each god and goddess was about fifteen feet tall, and Y/N felt a shiver down his spine as they all looked at them. Monsters might be scary, but they're nothing compared to the gods.

Y/N glanced to the middle of the throne room, where a familiar girl was tending to the flames. Lucy looked up and gave Y/N a wave, smiling sweetly.

"Welcome, heroes," Artemis said.

"Mooo!"

That's when Y/N noticed Bessie and Grover.

A sphere of water was hovering in the center of the room, next to the hearth fire. Bessie was swimming happily around, swishing his serpent tail and poking his head out the sides and bottom of the sphere. He seemed to be enjoying the novelty of swimming in a magic bubble.

Grover was kneeling at Zeus's throne, as if he'd just been giving a report, but when he saw them, he cried, "You made it!"

He started to run towards them, then remembered he was turning his back on Zeus, and looked for permission.

"Go on," Zeus said. But he wasn't really paying attention to Grover. The lord of the sky was staring intently at Thalia.

Grover trotted over. None of the gods spoke. Every clop of Grover's hooves echoed on the marble floor. Bessie splashed in his bubble of water. The hearth fire crackled.

Percy looked nervously at his father, Poseidon. He was dressed similar to the last time Percy had seen him: beach shorts, a Hawaiian shirt, and sandals. He had a weathered, suntanned face with a dark beard and deep green eyes. Percy wasn't sure how the god would feel about seeing him again, but the corners of his eyes crinkled with smile lines. He nodded as if to say, It's okay.