This chapter is rated T (Bad language)
Chapter 7: The Lines of Loyalty Are Never Clear
Apollo flashed into New Rome. His form flickered to Roman. He didn't fight it. None of the other gods fought it either. Eros looked around.
"There she is! She has an apple!"
Hecate growled. "Sister, let's take her down." Nemesis nodded and gave a feral smile. They ambushed their sister. Eros snatched up the apple and hid it away before it could affect the gods. Golden apples never affected Eros for some strange reason. Hypnos appeared beside Apollo. Eros handed Apollo some of his arrows. They both started firing at the mortals calmly and methodically. Hypnos casted his magic causing them to fall asleep so that they could be easily targeted by the archery gods.
The gods dealt with the issue within minutes. Apollo stepped in front of Renya.
"What went on here? You have caused Percy a great deal of agony!"
Renya paled. "I didn't start this. It was sudden. The Greek demigods were training with the Roman demigods, and suddenly, they just started fighting each other. A push turned to a shove and a shove turn to a sword thrust!" Her eyes were wide.
Frank helped Jason over. The son of Jupiter was badly injured. Apollo tsked and healed him. Frank spoke up. "Two sides quickly formed. The Romans who have befriended the Greeks and the Romans who haven't. We were unprepared for it."
Jason hissed in a breath as Apollo popped his shoulder back into place. Piper was holding his hand. She stared at Eros.
Eros nodded. "Sister."
She nodded to him. "Lord Eros."
Hecate and Nemesis came over, dragging a now visible Eris along with them. "What do we do with her? It's obvious that Zeus sent her here to cause discord."
Apollo frowned. "Percy's villa isn't made with prisons…" He thought for a second. "Take her to the Underworld. Put her in the prisons there."
Nemesis grinned, and they vanished.
The Romans were waking. Apollo stood in front of them. "You are foolish mortals. Very foolish." Cupid stood beside him.
They shuffled their feet.
Hecate spoke up. "Eris, goddess of Discord, was working for Zeus. She cast a Golden Apple of Discord into your midst. Because of that, you began to quarrel. Percy Jackson is now incapacitated because of your actions! Apollo and Hypnos had to put him to sleep in order to keep him sane! Your actions have almost torn him in two!"
The Greeks paled. They knew Percy. He was their friend.
Apollo spoke up. "Befriend each other! It is the only way that you are to survive this war! Mortals will be in danger because of conflicting powers! It is your duty to protect them! Your families are all mortal! Work together to protect each other!"
Percy suddenly appeared. Apollo jumped. "You're supposed to be in bed! Get back there now!"
Percy grinned tiredly.
POV Change
I sighed. "Not when I have something to say." I looked at all the Greeks and Romans. "The gods can affect you here. I want you to move to the coast. Go to the ocean. Leo Valdez is coming to pick you up. He is coming to save you. I want all of your families safe. Children are here. In war, many will die. I don't want children to die."
I sighed again. "Leo has another ship just for the children and women who are pregnant. Older demigods as well. Pack up your things. You might not come back. And, if you do, this camp might not be here. Pack up and move to the sea. My father will protect you once your arrive at the coast. Hecate will cover for you with Mist. Apollo and Artemis will look out for you during day and night. Go!"
They scattered to their bunks and homes to get their things. I turned to Renya and Frank. "Keep a strong grip on your power. Don't let anyone fall victim to the gods again."
They nodded. Jason was practically healed now. I smiled at him. "Stay safe. And keep the mortals safe too. War is almost here. Zeus is almost ready to attack. When he does, no one will be safe. Your families will be at risk. Do not expect them to act like your allies. Expect them to act like Giants, like Titans. Do not befriend them, do not negotiate with them. Do not fight them. They will kill you if you give them a chance."
They nodded gravely. All of the gods, including myself, flashed out and back to my villa.
Apollo was rounding on me. "THAT WAS A STUPID THING TO DO!"
I chuckled. "It needed to be done. They will respectfully listen to you, but they will obey their god."
Eros nodded. "He's right." Apollo glared at him. He stared at me.
"In bed. Now."
I chuckled. "Fine, fine." I sighed as Apollo and Hermes helped me into my bed. "I hate being an invalid."
Eros chuckled. Nemesis and Hecate appeared. They grinned at me. "Done. Eris is now out of the war. Hades is having her prison watched. From now on, we put all our prisoners of war down there."
I nodded and sighed again. Paul and Mom came inside. "Are you okay, Percy?"
Eros straightened up and smiled benevolently at Mom. Paul raised an eyebrow at him. I smirked. The scheming god of love was trying to get into Mom's good books.
"Yeah, I'm fine now. It was a crazy experience, but everything's fine now."
Mom sighed and hugged me awkwardly. Poseidon looked like he wanted to comfort her, but he held back in deference to Paul. Paul pulled her gently away.
"He needs sleep, honey." She nodded and waved to me gently.
"I'm going to make some cookies. You have blue food coloring, right Percy?"
I gave a faint chuckle. "Yep. One of the first things I bought." She chuckled.
"I might have known." She and Paul left the room. I smiled. Hestia started a fire in my fireplace. The warmth seemed to calm everyone. She pulled a stool out of nowhere and sat on it beside the fire.
"The fire in the hearth of the Throne Room is out. I have lit the one in the library in time for the Hearth to survive." Hestia looked saddened. Her head was still bandaged from the gash that Demeter gave her. Apollo moved closer to her.
"I can clean that up for you."
She nodded. He went to work. I smiled at Dad. He nodded and left my room. Artemis looked out the window. The moon would be up again soon. She nodded to me and left. Hades had stayed below to keep an eye on things and to watch over his two guests. Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to have them up here, but they would be safe in the Underworld. I would make sure that they have safe place to life in Camp after the war was over.
I sighed. After the war…would I truly win? I shook that off. Kronos was the main enemy. I needed to remember that. I couldn't lose focus. That was what Kronos was counting on!
"Percy…" I turned to see Apollo looking very embarrassed.
I smiled. "What, ashamed that you shouted at me for getting out of bed?" I sniffed slightly. "You should be." I gave a mock huff. His lips turned up ever so slightly in a smile.
"I just wanted to say that I'm sorry. I didn't…I hadn't…" He growled. "I'm sorry."
I chuckled. "For what? You felt an attraction, and you acted on it. You went a little too far, but nothing irreparable happened. We're perfectly fine. I trust you, brother."
He grinned. "Thanks, Percy!" I grinned back at him. Apollo gave me one final check and then left the room. Hestia was tending the fire. She was just lighting this one to keep me warm and to keep an eye on me.
I smiled at her. We were the only ones in the room.
"Sleep Percy. You are safe." I nodded and fell asleep.
