Bittersweet Awareness

Chapter One

It was a normal day. At least as normal as things get when you're a god. The other gods and goddesses and I were having our weekly meeting. It's amazing the things that you can learn if you just sit and listen. Take last week for example, I found out Athena had given birth again. I just love to taunt her. Then there was the week before when we found out that Zeus, my idiotic brother, had had another affair. You should have seen Hera's face. Boy was she mad.

I swear the bunch of them could teach a comedian a thing or two, but I'm rambling. I should get back to the point at hand. Ever since Hades had gotten permission to attend these meetings it's been worse. What with all those dead people gossiping all the time. You question him and it's always the same answer,

"Well how else are the dead supposed to get into the Underworld. No one bothers carrying gold anymore!"

Forever complaining, like his is the only life that matters.

Today he came as usual, but this time he was really excited about something. He gave me a really sly, nasty look. That was when I started to worry.

He couldn't have found out could he, I thought.

I tried to stay cool, but I really hoped he hadn't discovered my secret because it could potentially cause a lot of problems.

"Order, order," commanded Zeus.

He is so bossy.

Everyone took their seats and we got right down to business. Yada yada yada blah blah blah. The only time I listen at these meetings is when someone mentions the ocean, but no, it was all about mortals. Disgusting. Have you seen all the pollution that gets dumped in the ocean? They're pretty much responsible for all of it.

Now normally I would be calm, but today I was sweating slightly. It was my son's 10th birthday. None of the others knew about him, but soon he would have to go to camp. It's too dangerous out there for half-bloods particularly when they're the sons or daughters of one of the Big Three. Unfortunately, there were going be major problems when Zeus found out about him, what with the prophecy and all. My thoughts were suddenly interrupted by my brother.

"I've got some very interesting news," Hades announced.

This could be very important I thought, or very bad.

Of course, I listened closely and so did everyone else. Well, everyone except Persephone who chided Hades for being such a busybody.

I had to admire her courage. Not many people, even gods and goddesses, had the guts to tell off the Lord of the Underworld.

"What kind of news?" Zeus thundered.

He was still a little sore because Hera had kicked him out. Honestly I don't know what he expected her to do when he was being such a player. He was probably hoping that Hades' news would take some of the heat off him. Suddenly, I noticed Hades was looking straight at me. I tried to mask my fear as he started speaking again.

"It all started yesterday. I'm sure you've all heard about my new rule. The dead have to give me some interesting news because it helps relieve my boredom. Well, some of it anyway. Well this one guy started talking. He seemed to think I already knew all the things he'd done. He told me that he was abusive to women and had raped and tortured about ten or so."

The goddesses, especially Artemis and Athena, growled at this. It was a bit of a sensitive subject for them. The rest of us ignored the interruption and Zeus gestured for Hades to continue.

"After he finished talking about what he'd done, he said that it was nothing compared to what his friend was doing. Of course, by then I was getting bored. After all, mortals always point the finger at someone else. "

The other gods murmured in agreement.

"Then this guy started telling me how his friend had a wife," Hades continued, "and she had a kid. He said this kid was dyslexic and always got in trouble. I was a little more interested, after that because this kid could have been one of ours."

The other gods nodded, listening intently.

"So he described them to me. He said the women's name was Sally and the kid was Percy. When he started telling me what the kid looked like it sounded like he was describing a younger version of my dear brother Poseidon. At first, I thought it must be a coincidence, but then I figured it might be worth getting Hephaestus to show us their house."

He smirked knowing I was sweating. Everyone was looking at me now.

There were gasps all around me. Everyone was shocked. I tried to make it sound like he was lying, but it was no use. Their shouts got louder, so I finally admitted it. They all stared at me. Well really it was more like glared at me. Normally, I like the attention, but this was different. I had broken my vow to have no more children with mortals. I sighed deeply.

Luckily Hades interrupted.

"Now this is all well and good," he said, "but why don't we see what else we can learn about this boy. After all he is our nephew."

We sat. Hephaestus pulled out his remote and pressed some buttons.

"EA43 activated," a computerized voice informed us.

A TV descended from the ceiling and the show began.