A/N: This chapter was by far the most emotional chapter I have ever written for this story. I hope it warms your heart just as it has mine. Enjoy!
Chapter Nine: The Golden Blood of the Gods
Perseus fell to his knees at his immortal half sister's side. He was determined not to show emotion for a god but he couldn't help to show concern this time round. After all he and Athena had been through together, the young demigod had learnt that not all gods were selfless. He had seen just how much Athena and Hermes had been willing to help despite the fact that both of them wanted him to replace Ares as the War god.
"Perseus," Athena said weakly.
Perseus looked down at the goddess' pale face gravely. "We'll get you help, Athena." He promised her.
The stricken goddess shook her head. "No. Zeus was right. I have become too attached to you."
Perseus, being as strong as he was, gently lifted Athena's fragile body into his arms. Io and Hermes crouched on the opposite side of Athena, both with saddened expressions on their faces. Both immortals knew that when an immortal being was struck now in battle or by another immortal, they would travel back to Olympus and plead with Zeus and the other Olympians to gained access back to Earth. Io knew this only too well.
"You're immortal. You can't die." Perseus stated bravely as he looked down at Athena's wounded side. The blood was golden. Then it hit him.
Unlike mortals, immortals bled too but their blood wasn't red like a mortals. It was golden. Immortals couldn't bleed to death like mortals could. Perseus had seen golden blood before when Io had been 'dying'.
Athena's chuckle was weak indicating that her time was almost up.
"You have come a long way Perseus. I am very proud of you. The Oracle of Delphi has foreseen that you will become a great god." She said her voice almost a whisper that meant death was on the doorstep.
Athena then turned to Io and Hermes. "Hermes, continue what Zeus has assigned. Make sure all the tasks that the other Olympians throw at Perseus are completed, my brother." Io looked at Athena with what looked like tears welling in her eyes.
"Io, take command of Zeus' mission and you shall be rewarded greatly." Athena said as her eyelids fluttered shut.
Perseus could feel tears trickle down his face as he held Athena's body close to him. Io and Hermes bowed their heads in respect to the fallen goddess. Athena's body disappeared in a cloud of golden dust. Perseus had seen this happen with Io's body too.
In the Underworld, Hades and Persephone watched as Echidna approached them. Hades looked rather unpleased.
"My lord," Echidna bowed.
"My dear Echidna, when I said destroy the bastard son of Zeus I meant kill the mortal. Not my good for nothing wise niece." Hades hissed.
"She got in the way Lord Hades!" Echidna screeched trying to defend herself against the wrath of Hades.
"Not good ENOUGH!" the god of the Underworld roared. With a swipe of Hades' hand, Echidna become a soul and disappeared.
"Well I hope you're happy, Hades." Persephone snorted.
"This works to my advantage," Hades said in his usual evil tone. He laced his fingers together in typical Mr. Burns style.
"What in the Underworld are you talking about?" Persephone asked, clearly worried about what her husband was planning.
"With Athena out of the picture it leads us to having to destroy Hermes and Io."
"What? Io, Hermes and Athena are all immortals!" Persephone cried.
"Exactly! Zeus wouldn't permit them to return to Earth without a reason." Hades said as his eyes narrowed into slits as he looked at his wife evilly.
"Atlas! Destroy the girl known as Io and my nephew Hermes and bring me that demigod Perseus!" Hades ordered.
"Yes Lord Hades!" Atlas said before snapping his fingers and disappearing into thin air.
Hades turned back to Persephone to see that she wasn't there. She had snapped her fingers too but she was heading back to Olympus to warn the other Olympians.
Athena lay on the floor the Mount Olympus Viewing Room. She was about to sit up when she heard her name being called.
"Athena!" Came the voice of Hera.
Athena was surprised to hear Hera's voice considering she was a child of Zeus.
Hera fell to her knees at her stepdaughter's side. "What are you doing back here? You're supposed to be convincing Perseus to replace Ares as War god!"
"Hera! I was. We were confronted by Echidna. I got stabbed and 'died' in Perseus' arms." Athena explained as easily and quickly as she could.
"We need to warn your father! Come with me!" Hera said as she helped Athena to her feet.
The pair hurried down the corridor to the Throne Room where they found Aphrodite, Zeus and Poseidon all quarrelling amongst themselves.
"Father!" Athena yelled as she ran up to them with Hera at her heels.
"Athena my dear child, what are you doing back?" Zeus asked of his daughter.
Athena explained the confrontation with Echidna and how she had 'died' in Perseus' arms.
"You have to allow me to return to Earth! Perseus wouldn't be able to survive out there without me! Please Father!" Athena begged of Zeus.
Zeus merely shook his head. "I am sorry, Athena. You have had your chance to help Perseus. Now let Hermes and Io finish what you have started."
Athena's face fell beyond what she wanted to hear. "Father-" she begun but Zeus cut her off.
"No, Athena. Don't think about disobeying me. You know the coincidences if you do." Zeus said gravely.
Athena knew that her father was right. Perseus had had enough of her help. No matter want she would try to say, Zeus would only tell her that she couldn't go back and help her mortal half-brother complete his 'god' training.
Zeus headed towards the doors of the Throne Room with Aphrodite and Poseidon trailing behind him. As they passed Athena and Hera, they both gave Athena looks of sympathy.
Athena looked at Hera miserably. The goddess of Marriage patted her stepdaughter on the shoulder to comfort her. Out of all Zeus' offspring, Hera liked Athena and Hermes most. The rest of them she could have cared least about. What was Athena going to do?
Perseus remained rooted to the spot. He was too upset to move. He wouldn't admit it out loud but he loved Athena as a sibling and would do anything to get her back. He looked down at his hand to see that it was half covered in golden blood. Athena's blood. He realised that he must have been touching the wound when he was holding Athena.
"What now?" Hermes asked his half-brother and Io.
Io and Perseus looked at each other before turning back to Hermes.
"Screw going back to Argos!" Perseus said.
Io nodded in agreement.
"We going to defeat Hades and win the spot of War god!" Perseus and Io cried in unison.
Hermes smiled proudly before laughing with the demigods. "Now that's more like it!"
Please Review! Oh that reminds me. I'm starting to run out of ideas and I need your help. In your reviews or you can PM me, you can give me ideas and I'll credit you for it.
