Chapter 19: The Council of the Gods

A day had passed since Isaiah returned from the quest. The eleven-year-old boy was meditating at the foot of his bed. One could see his magical circuits glowing with a hue of green and blue all over his body. Usually, the sorcerers of the Order meditate for numerous reasons. However, the main ones are to reach self-enlightenment, consolidate their connection with dimensions, where the source of their powers comes from, or simply for relaxation. However, Isaiah was meditating for a different reason. He had discovered over the three years that meditating helped increase mana capacity. By calculating the mana through his circuits and exhausting it. He would then wait for it to recover. This helped with the speed of mana recovery and grow his mana capacity within him.

And so, the boy was meditating when he sensed the air in front of him distort. Opening his eyes he saw the air in front of him shimmer with a cloud of mist. He then saw an image take place at the center of it. The image cleared and he saw Percy standing in front of him. Behind him was a normal-looking interior of a summer cabin except for the few sea plants and corals by the window and bronze hippocampi ceiling decorations.

"Hey, Isaiah! What are you doing?" the sea-green-eyed boy said when he saw Isaiah on the floor.

"Hello, Percy. Simply meditating. Is this the Iris-messaging I've been hearing about?"

"Well yeah. Pretty cool right?"

"Yes, it's nice. So is it time yet?"

Percy looked at the clock in his room,

"Yeah, it's 11:30 PM. So you should come now, then we'll head to the Empire State Building."

"Why there?"

Percy smirked,

"Because that's where Mount Olympus is and the only way for us to enter is through the elevator."

"I see. Then I'll see you there."

Percy looked confused,

"But we agreed to meet in front of the Big House? What changed?"

Isaiah smiled,

"I will be bringing a guest."

"Really who?"

"You'll know when we reach there."

Percy stared at Isaiah,

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

"Alright then. We'll see you there.

"Alright."

Percy then shipped the most and the call ended with the most dispersing.

"Was that Perseus Jackson?" Isaiah heard the Ancient One ask.

He looked at the door and saw his teacher in the outfit she usually wore when going on a mission. She had long yellow combat monk clothes with a hood and a black belt over her waist. She also had the eye of Agomotto around her neck.

"Hello, teacher. Yes, that was Percy."

"I see. Here," she said before materializing something in her hands and handing it to him.

"Thanks, but what's this?"

"Why don't you try it on?"

The boy unfolded the gift and saw that it was the same thing as his teacher, but all black. The boy smiled before using (Flash Air) to switch the clothes. The clothes fixed him perfectly.

"These look so cool, Teacher! And they kind of look like yours!"

"Well, I did take inspiration from mine. But that's not all."

"Really?"

"Yes. These combat clothes are enchanted to withstand up to five high-tier spells and they always stay clean," she smirked.

"Truly? This is great! Thank you, Master!"

"No problem, Isaiah. When you go out to official meetings or parties and such, you must always dress properly. But since we are going at a council of gods, we must also dress accordingly,"

"In combat gear?"

The woman shrugged,

"You can never know what happens in the meetings. It's been so long since I have attended one."

"You've been to Olympus before?"

She nodded,

"Once."

"How was it?"

"It's better if you see it with your own eyes."

She then asked,

"Now, what time is it in New York?"

The boy checked his watch,

"I think, It's 11:35 PM in New York."

"Then we must leave. Let's go," she said before leaving the room.

Isaiah followed her and they arrived in the Chamber of Shadows in front of the orb of Agomotto. They walked through the portal leading to the New York sanctum. They then passed the room of relics before going down the stairs. Downstairs, they met with a dark-skinned man with rippling muscles in monks' clothes.

"Master! Isaiah!" he called.

"Good night, Master Drumm"

"Hello, Mr. Drumm!"

"What can I do for you at this time?"

The woman shook her head,

"We don't need anything. We were just heading out."

She put a hand on the boy's shoulder,

"Isaiah here has been asked to come to Olympus. And as his teacher, I must accompany him."

The man frowned,

"Olympus, huh? Today's the winter solstice meeting between the gods, isn't it? I heard that the war between the titans and the gods has started so the tensions are at an all-time high at the moment. If it escalates, we may have to intervene to protect the people. Even after losing so much power, they're still powerful. Who knows what kind of damage they would cause to the world?"

"That's true. I'll be sure to address that in the meeting,"

The Ancient One nodded before looking at the time.

It was already 11:45 PM.

"We best get going before it gets too late. Let's go, Isaiah. Goodbye, Master Drumm."

"Goodbye, Mister Drumm!" said Isaiah.

"Farewell, Master, Isaiah." the man said before returning and walking inside the Sanctum.

The duo walked up to the door and stepped outside. Even late at night, the streets were bustling with activity.

Isaiah was amazed,

"Woah! It's this late and there are still tons of people in the streets. What could they be doing?"

"New York never rests, Isaiah. Whether it's day or night. The city is always alive."

"Are we going to walk there or are we going to use a portal?" Isaiah asked.

"Yes, we will use a portal."

She then opened a gate to the Mirror dimension,

"But not before entering the Mirror dimension. The portals are too noticeable."

She then grinned at Isaiah,

"Maybe when you master your spell, (Flash Air), you wouldn't need to use Universal Energy."

They both entered the dimension and the woman opened a portal right in front of the Empire State building and exited the Mirror dimension.

The duo walked inside the building and arrived in front of the building. It was already 11:50 and Isaiah didn't see his friends,

'They must've already gone to Olympus.'

The boy looked at his teacher,

"So how do we go to Olympus, Teacher?"

The woman smiled,

"Follow me."

They walked up to the security guard who was reading some sort of magazine,

"Hello there," she said to the man.

The latter looked up from his magazine and saw the two sorcerers.

"Huh, hello? Haloween passed like two months ago."

The woman's eyebrow twitched. Seven hundred years of life and her position as the Sorcerer Supreme prevented her from getting angry.

"My disciple here was invited to the winter solstice meeting of the gods. I am here as his guardian and his teacher. I am also here on behalf of the Order of the Masters of Mystic Arts."

The man looked at her before looking at the boy. He sighed and took out a card and gave it to her.

"Insert it in the security slot. A button with the number six hundred will appear. You will press it and the elevator will transport you to Olympus. And make sure there is no one else besides you two in the elevator." the man said.

"Thank you," the Ancient One said before the two went to the elevators. Once the doors opened, they stepped inside.

"So this is an elevator."

His teacher smiled,

"Ah right. You never took the elevator. Well, this is your first experience."

She found the slot for the card below the buttons. Following the guard's instruction, a button, larger than the rest, appeared with the number six hundred and the woman pressed it. The door closed and the elevator began to move. As soon as the elevator began to rise, a song began to play.

The Ancient One smiled,

"Ah. Frank Sinatra. I haven't heard his music for some time."

"Who's that?"

"He's a musician that played this song."

"Remember, Isaiah. You must be at the best of your behaviour. I'm sure your status as a Wildcard will be discussed."

The boy nodded,

"You don't have to worry teacher."

The elevator soon reached the six hundredth floor.

*ding*

The door opened and revealed a majestic sight.

The boy was speechless at the sight.

"Quite breathtaking, isn't it?"

"It's so... white and shiny."

The woman chuckled,

"You can sightsee later. We must not be late."

They made their way on the stone walkway above the clouds. Isaiah could see Manhattan right below him. They soon arrived in front of a large palace that made all the buildings Isaiah had seen in books or on the internet look like dirt. As they walked, they saw numerous minor gods, satyrs, and nymphes looking at them and whispering. It must've been quite a sight for them since two mortals were walking towards the palace of the Olympians. However, they looked tense. Isaiah figured it must be because of the Council. However, his teacher ignore all that and walked up to the palace.

It was 11:53 PM.

They walked past the central courtyard. At 11:55 PM, they finally arrived at the entrance of the throne room. Isaiah could feel the massive masses of power behind the doors. Two guards were guarding the doors,

"Halt! State your business!" the guard to the right said.

"My disciple was invited to the meeting as someone who had undertaken the quest to save Lady Artemis." the woman said.

"Name?" the guard asked the boy.

"Isaiah Sharpe." the boy said

The guard looked at a paper and nodded,

"And you are?"

"His teacher, the leader of the Order of the Masters of Mystic Arts and the Sorcerer Supreme."

The guard's eyes widened before looking at each other.

"One moment, please."

The second guard said before entering the throne room. Three minutes later, the guard returned and nodded toward his comrade.

"You may enter," the latter said.

The guards opened the doors and the teacher and student duo walked through the doors. Once they reached the throne room, Isaiah saw his friends at the center of the room.

"Isaiah!" they shouted.

Isaiah saw them sigh in relief.

'Guess they thought I would be late.' he smiled and waved at them.

He saw Hestia in her child form tending the hearth. The latter saw him and smiled at him. He smiled back.

He looked up and saw thirteen gigantic beings sitting on their thrones. Looking at their attires, he figured that they were the twelve Olympians. The thirteenth god was the god of the Underworld, Hades. Some looked bored, some were distracted by something. Others were looking at the demigods with interest. However, that changed when he entered the room.

Suddenly, a booming voice was heard from Zeus,

"I do not recall giving you permission to attend this meeting, Fiona Barran."

'Fiona Barran?' thought Isaiah.

Now that he thought about it, he never asked what her name was in all the years he had been at Kamar-Taj.

His teacher kept her smile before conjuring a chair for her and her student.

"You invited-no you summoned my student who only learnt about the Greek world a few days ago. Is it not right for me to accompany him, Zeus? After all, he's not part of this world. He is part of the Order. Therefore, it concerns me as his teacher and the leader of the Order.

Both leaders stared at each other as a tense atmosphere reigned in the room. Suddenly, a cough was heard,

They all looked at Poseidon who cleared his throat.

"Brother."

The god of the sea said before pointing at his wrist.

The god of the sky sighed before saying to Fiona,

"Very well, you may stay."

He then stood up and addressed the room,

"Then I shall announce that the Council of the Gods begins!" he shouted and try could all hear thunder strike outside of the palace and Zeus sat back down

Poseidon sighed at his brother's theatrics.

"Athena," called Zeus

Athena then stood up and spoke,

"We have gathered here to talk about the quest our children and the mortal sorcerer have undertaken to rescue Artemis from Atlas. We will now let them recite their story."

And just like with Chiron, the kids recounted their stories. However, Isaiah proceeded to not interject as they told their stories.

When they finally finished, a silent atmosphere reigned in the room. There were too many things to discuss. Isaiah could see Zeus get agitated on his throne.

Artemis then spoke.

"As you've heard, these children have helped us tremendously. We now know of the rise of titans and Mount Orthys as well as them gathering allies. We must strategize to counter them."

Athena who kept her gaze on Isaiah stood up,

"I shall go and check on the other Titans and make sure that they do not escape."

Poseidon then taped the floor with his trident,

"Then I shall unleash the fury of the seas upon the Princess Andromeda and send it at the bottom of the ocean."

There were multiple mumblings and grumbling, but Isaiah could see that some were not paying much attention like Hephaestus or Dionysus.

Zeus who was intensively frowning,

"We shall vote then. All in favour?"

Nonetheless, it was unanimous.

"Then we shall do so."

"However, these half-bloods have done great service for Olympus. They even had to ask help from a mortal sorcerer. Will any of you deny that?" Artemis spoke once more.

There were some agreements amongst the gods. They were about to vote when Ares suddenly decided to speak.

"It may be so. However, these three are too dangerous. Not to mention this one. If what they said is true then he's the most dangerous by the simple fact of existing." he said as he pointed at the children of the Big Three before pointing at Isaiah.

"They are worthy heroes, Ares. I will not have them denied!" said Artemis.

"And I will not have my son killed. I will not have them blast into bits. Even the mortal. No matter how dangerous he may be." Poseidon added.

"Hades. Why have you not told us you had children recently?" Zeus said as he glared at Hades.

The latter raised an eyebrow,

"Hm? Why should I, Brother?"

Zeus slammed his fist on the throne,

"Do no play the fool, Hades! You broke your oath!"

the god of the Underworld snorted before giving a dry laugh.

"Really? Do you want to talk to me about broken oaths? I would call you a hypocrite."

Had Isaiah been beside his teacher, he would have noticed her flinch at the last sentence.

"Answer me, Hades!"

The god sighed,

"So you broke your oath too, Hades," said Athena.

"NO!"

The shout shook the room. Isaiah could almost feel himself tremble due to the sheer power.

The god of the dead calmed down.

"No, I did not break my oath."

"Then how is this possible?" asked Apollo.

"Bianca and Nico were born before the oath."

"How?"

"The Lotus Casino," Poseidon said as he looked at his older brother. "You put them in the Lotus Casino, am I right Brother?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

Hades gave a hate-filled glare at Zeus before shaking his head.

"It is none of your business."

"That still doesn't change the fact they are too dangerous. If we just-" Ares was about to say.

"I will not have my children destroyed!" Hades interrupted.

"Nor my daughter. She has done well." Zeus added as he kept his glare on Hades before turning to Thalia who kept herself from being emotional.

"If I may."

They all turned to The Ancient One who spoke,

"You speak as if you want to cast judgement on Isaiah, am I wrong?"

"He's too dangerous, Fiona Barran. A being like him should not exist." Zeus said.

The woman scowled,

"That may be so. However, upon hearing the stories of the demigods. I heard that they asked for Isaiah's help. He saved your daughter from her preordained death." she said and pointed at Hades. "He also saved your lieutenant," she pointed at Artemis. "An I have said this before and I will repeat myself. Isaiah is a part of my Order. If there was anyone to reward him or punish him, it will be me."

'Not to mention, if you do something to him. He could simply will you out of existence.' she added in her thoughts.

"I cannot do that. His very presence could affect us. What if the goes to the titans?"

"We are not part of the war you people are having and we will not take any sides. We are an organization that protects the mundane world from mystical threats far more dangerous than you. The only reason he helped was that they are his friends."

*BOOOM!* *CRACK!*

She was about to continue when a shadow appeared in the center of the throne room right in between the demigods and the gods and thunder boomed outside of the palace. Isaiah felt three wells of power in the shadow. However, they were weaker than Zeus. Despite that, The gods suddenly frowned and felt weary at the phenomenon. The shadow expanded before separating in three. They then rose into the air before coalescing into three old women.

Isaiah suddenly heard Percy whisper in shock,

"Holy shit!"

The group including Isaiah leaned toward him,

"What's wrong?" the young sorcerer asked.

"I know them. I've seen them before."

"Who?"

"The Fates" Zoe said in shock.

"The Fates! What are they doing here?" whisper-yelled Thalia.

"I don't know."

"What's going on?" asked Bianca.

Grover couldn't answer as he was trembling.

"The one on the left is Clotho, the Fate of Birth. The one in the middle is Lachesis, the Fate of Life. And the one on the right is Atropos, the Fate of Death." Zoe explained.

"The Fates. What brings you here?" asked Zeus at the edge of his seat.

The three old women turned around and bore their eyes on Isaiah.

The boy who did not know fear simply stared back at them with a poker face.

"We have come..." began Clotho.

"-to meet with one..." continued Lachesis.

"-who's string does not exist." finished Atropos.

"The Rebel."

"The Wildcard."

"The Unpredictable."

They then finished with all three saying at the same time,

"The One We Cannot Touch nor See. Isaiah Sharpe."