Rick Riordan
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
121
121
G-man. We will come back from this. We'll plant new trees. We'll clean up the parks. Your friends
will be reincarnated into a better world."
He sniffled dejectedly. "I . . . I suppose. But it was hard enough to rally them before. I'm still
an outcast. I could barely get anyone to listen to me about Pan. Now will they ever listen to me
again? I led them into a slaughter."
"They will listen," I promised. "Because you care about them. You care about the Wild more
than anyone."
He tried for a smile. "Thanks, Percy. I hope . . . I hope you know I'm really proud to be your
friend."
I patted his arm. "Luke was right about one thing, G-man. You're the bravest satyr I ever
met."
He blushed, but before he could say anything, conch horns blew. The army of Poseidon
marched into the throne room.
"Percy!" Tyson yelled. He charged toward me with his arms open. Fortunately he'd shrunk
back to normal size, so his hug was like getting hit by a tractor, not the entire farm.
"You are not dead!" he said.
"Yeah!" I agreed. "Amazing, huh?"
He clapped his hands and laughed happily. "I am not dead either. Yay! We chained Typhon.
It was fun!"
Behind him, fifty other armored Cyclopes laughed and nodded and gave each other high
fives.
"Tyson led us," one rumbled. "He is brave!"
"Bravest of the Cyclopes!" another bellowed.
Tyson blushed. "Was nothing."
"I saw you!" I said. "You were incredible!"
I thought poor Grover would pass out. He's deathly afraid of Cyclopes. But he steeled his
nerves and said, "Yes. Um . . . three cheers for Tyson!"
"YAAARRRRR!" the Cyclopes roared.
"Please don't eat me," Grover muttered, but I don't think anyone heard him.
The conch horns blasted again. The Cyclopes parted, and my father strode into the throne
room in his battle armor, his trident glowing in his hands.
"Tyson!" he roared. "Well done, my son. And Percy—" His face turned stern. He wagged his
finger at me, and for a second I was afr aid he was going to zap me. "I even forgive you for sitting on
my throne. You have saved Olympus!"
He held out his arms and gave me a hug. I realized, a little embarrassed, that I'd never
actually hugged my dad before. He was warm—like a regular human—and he smelled of a salty
beach and fresh sea air.
When he pulled away, he smiled kindly at me. I felt so good, I'll admit I teared up a little. I
guess until that moment I hadn't allowed myself to realize just how terrified I had been the last few
days.
"Dad—"
"Shhh," he said. "No hero is above fear, Percy. And you have risen above every hero. Not
even Hercules—"
"POSEIDON!" a voice roared.
Zeus had taken his throne. He glared across the room at my dad while all the other gods
filed in and took their seats. Even Hades was present, sitting on a simple stone guest chair at the
foot of the hearth. Nico sat cross-legged on the ground at his dad's feet.
"Well, Poseidon?" Zeus grumped. "Are you too proud to join us in council, my brother?"
I thought Poseidon was going to get mad, but he just looked at me and winked. "I would be
honored, Lord Zeus."
I guess miracles do happen. Poseidon strode over to his fishing seat, and the Olympian
Council convened.
While Zeus was talking—some long speech about the bravery of the gods, etc.—Annabeth
walked in and stood next to me. She looked good for someone who'd recently passed out.