"Tyson!" he roared. "Well done, my son. And Percy — " His face turned stem. He

wagged his finger at me, and for a second I was afraid 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.