Percy's POV
"This is the best part" I tried to hold back a girlish shrill and slapping someone hard on the back. I gave a nudge to this guy who was already on top of the Empire State building alone with his girlfriend. I bet Aphrodite by witnessing the situation first so I get to let her sit back and spoil her fun. He proposed by telling her that she was the Lilo to her Stitch, the mark on his book, the chain to his keys…so on. The things in his mind were lame but I couldn't change it. I could only let them out. I was throat clearer for short.
"Yeah, I could tell." Diane had a cunning smile grace her lips, "You could squeal…I would but I'd seen cheesier."
"Very true" Aphrodite added to Diane's comment.
"Let's just get back. I'm going to accompany Artemis tonight on the chariot." I informed her.
"Aren't three girls enough for you Lord Perseus?" Aphrodite remarked. That made my cheeks as red as Ares' flaming hair when you get him angry. Diane laughed so hard it made her cry.
I ignored the comment and the three of us returned to Olympus by an elevator ride since we're here anyways.
Artemis and I had some things to talk about. Alethea would be four in a few months and we knew it would be a really big day for her. Naturally born gods and goddesses, when they turn four, would be put to a test. This test goes in a cycle. The last one who took it, Eros I think…I'm not sure, had it here on Olympus and next it would be in Atlantis then the next one would have it at Camp Half Blood. It was in the Underworld before it was in camp but they decided it would be risky since eons ago a child accidentally took a dip in the river Lethe. This will be the second time camp will witness the gods and goddesses of Olympus (Olympians and major) having a test for a mini-immortal there.
If she passes the test, she'll be the youngest major goddess and I'll be the happiest father on Olympus (which I already am next to my own father).
Damien's POV
First of all, that was a friendly peck on the cheek. I see girls do it all the time. I am not gay if you all start to get the wrong ideas. I, just, Diane really had this effect on me from the first minute I saw here. Yeah, she's a goddess but to my eyes she's just a normal immortal teen (and I'd also blame my teenage hormones plus my mom's genes).
We became best friends almost instantly from the first minute we started talking. She managed to tell me her life story and I got to share some stuff before her family left camp that day. It was great talking to somebody without being scared. I know she'll keep my secrets and I'll keep hers.
There was no way of communication and I guess she's busy being on Olympus and all so I don't really blame her. We're still really good friends.
Second thing, after she left us to continue on our quest, she said something that kind of worried me and I know Aaron had the same feeling. I managed to conjure up my own version of Diane's words so I could understand.
Truth can't be doubted. Truth is somewhere in you (that's what you call your instincts I think, they lean on towards what is right most of the time).
Truth is I'm not a demigod… well I'm not just a demi-god to be more accurate. I am a son of Aphrodite, but I am also the grandchild of Ares (in short, my demigod dad got favour from his dad's immortal girlfriend) and that makes me a tri-god or tri-bloods as we like to call them.
That makes me kind of powerful than the other Aphrodite kids whose other parent is full mortal. I can charm speak well since I got that from my mom and I'm also good in combat because of my grandfather. Good thing is that I didn't inherit Ares' temper and I was known as the gentlest guy on camp. My mother didn't know my dad was Ares' kid because the irresponsible boyfriend forgot to claim him. It was kind of fine for the immortals to get together with some demigods but that's weird since they are kind of our aunts and uncles in a way. In my case, my father's father is the boyfriend of my mother. No one knows except for me, Aphrodite and my deceased father. We had to keep this secret since my mom would have it bad if the god of war found out she had a son with his son (who had just been claimed when he was on his deathbed…that's when Aphrodite knew he was Ares' son so it was too late).
Since I could not lie to Diane (she could easily tell if I was lying anyways), I told her Aphrodite said my dad looked just like her boyfriend Ares (which is not a lie in a way).
I shook the thought out of my head and got my thoughts synchronized with my eyes as it were scanning the surroundings.
"Aaron, what did you think Diane meant?" I asked him as he was dragging the deboned tent off the floor.
"If you told anyone about me admitting this, you'd say locking yourself up in Tartarus would be mercy." He warned first. He did not like admitting he had fears. I told him he didn't have to tell me if he didn't want to but now I think he is going to because it seems like his thoughts are really bothering him right now. "Do you think she knows?" he asked. I knew what he meant.
Aaron is the son of Hephaestus and the (only) grandchild of Athena. This meant he was good at making stuff, playing with computers, enjoyed museums, and he is literally a wise guy. Added to those, he plays with fire and can turn invisible (a skill he gained from the goddess of skill herself even though she does not know she is her grandson). The danger of that truth is that if the goddess of wisdom herself or anyone else knew about Hephaestus or any other gods or goddesses messing with her half mortal sons and daughters (the most off limits demi-gods to any immortal), then we'd be in war so long we can never meet the s on the other side of without being drenched in bloodbaths.
I forgot to mention, Aaron's dad let Hecate surround Aaron with a mist that's so strong it could blind even the master strategist of the knowledge of her having her first grandchild.
"I don't know." I answered truthfully.
"I just wish my dad would take it like a man." Aaron told me. "I think my grandmother would spare me."
"No such luck kid. Athena kids are born from thought dumbo. That means she expects her kids not to be engaged in such activities." I concluded the lecture Chiron gave me when I tried to ask a wise girl out. "And I wish my grandfather didn't hit girls." I told him and chuckled at my stupidity. Ares might be wrapped around mother's dainty fingers but we all probably think he practically breathed the jealous types of the earth. He just laughed along.
Thalia came in between us and told us that we'd better get going.
No words were spoken. No questions asked. Thalia led the way and we were down in Hades' castle. We plan on talking to him first hoping he could summon his son or let his warriors search for the traitor demigod.
"lord Hades." The three of us bowed.
"My niece, why have you come along with these children?" he blankly said while lounging on his dark and painful-looking throne.
"Uncle, we believe that my cousin Nico is traveling down to Tartarus. He stole the keys so he could release the titans from prison." She explained with a serious tone.
"You have not answered my question child. Why did you bring these children to a demigod's quest?" I was getting uncomfortable with the knowing grin creeping up his pale face.
"This is Damien Beaumont, son of Lady Aphrodite and this is Aaron Sergemon, son of Hephaestus." She introduced the both of us to the king of the underworld.
"Beaumont, Sergemon" He roared in a commanding tone but it was not directed towards us. A mist of thick grey smoke entered the room and the both of us stumbled on our feet.
"Dad!" I tried to hug him and Aaron tried to hug the woman who possessed the same eye color in front of her but they are spirits now.
"What is the meaning of this?" Thalia stomped in frustration. When demigods die, they have their parent's symbols marked on their arms kind of like tattoos. My dad had Ares' symbol and his mom had Lady Athena's symbol. Thalia knew instantly the danger of our situation.
"My brother will be so pleased to know he has grandchildren slash great-grandchildren." Hades swiped at the mist and it made my dad and his mom disappear. We were clearly pissed at him but I was glad I don't have that much Ares in me and Aaron was as wise as the goddess of wisdom.
"Please lord Hades. My mother cannot bear to break her lover's heart." I tried to say as honestly (and charm speak the best I can of course) as I could.
"lord Hades, lady Athena's wrath cannot be imagined if she gains knowledge of my existence. I also wish to protect my father for my sibling's sake." Aaron spoke.
"It is not me who will deliver the news for you shall go to Olympus and tell them personally. To make it interesting, I will send you all back to the Empire State Building to tell them all right now. Only then I will stop my son from opening the gates of Tartarus in return."
"You knew?" Thalia yelled at her uncle after a few seconds and it made Hades grow impatient at her niece.
"When Apollo was still working here, he grew fond of making his visions a joke to my queen Persephone. I came back and she had agreed to tell me everything to free her for whole year from work." He answered with that annoyed grin on his lips disagreeing with the idea of being removed. "My son is on his way. He does not know that I know of his mission but I assure you that I can make him move faster at my will." He snapped his fingers and the three of us opened our eyes as we were in the Olympian's throne room. All the deities were there, including Alethea, the youngest goddess. We all bowed and when our eyelids fluttered open, we saw the bearer of the helm of darkness on his seat.
"What is the meaning of this my daughter?" an impatient Zeus asked Thalia.
All she answered was "We have come here on a quest from your brother Hades."
I looked at my mom and I saw Aaron looking at his dad. I heard myself gulp and I think he did too. I began speaking, "Mother, may I tell them who my father is?" I asked her first. Hades was clearly enjoying this like Ares when there's a good war coming as he leaned more comfortably on the back of his throne. Mom glared at Hades but she understood enough.
"You may." She gave me permission. She soothed circles on her boyfriend's hand.
"Father, may I tell them who my mother is?" I heard Aaron ask from my side.
"You may son. I am sorry for keeping you like this but your siblings might pay a price." Hephaestus answered and that earned bucket loads of sweat from my fellow tri-blood. He nodded slowly and wiped of some sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
"My father is Mike Beaumont, son of Ares." I said first and Aaron followed, "My mother is Valerie Sergemon, daughter of Lady Athena."
At the mention of both immortal's names, they shot straight up and walked up to us as they changed into our height to meet us eye level. Their faces were close to ours and I swear they wanted to kill us right then and there. Then our parent's pulled them back and had a very loud discussion outside. Ares I understand could be so rash but Athena? I shrugged off the thought.
"It is done Hades. Tell Nico to stop now." I told him.
"I am surprised. You are accompanied by a grandson of Athena who should have known better. I did not swear upon the river Styx." Now I was just furious! "My son is inches away from releasing my father along with his siblings from Tartarus. Nico made them swear on every river of my realm and especially to the one that cursed the warrior Achilles not to go against me. I shall go now. Have fun!" he let his last remark drip and afterwards transported away before someone got to grab him.
"I have lost my power to go to the underworld father." Hermes said. "I felt it in my bones just now. The way has been blocked by someone more powerful than I and only the deceased could go in and the powerful ones could go out. This I know for ancient laws prevent Olympians to meddle with another one's business."
Aaron's parent and grandparent came in with my mom and my grandfather. Athena disgustingly looked at Hephaestus before turning to Aaron, "I assume you have invisibility." he just nodded in response.
"Swear on the Styx you shall use this power to aid Olympus." She commanded.
"I swear by the river Styx." Thunder rolled outside the room as he said that. She went back to her seat and made herself calm on her throne.
I saw Aphrodite huffing and crossing her arms. Ares was actually trying to get her to talk. My mom is the most cunning woman in the world, believe me. She winked at me and Ares just rolled his eyes. At least that was a bit easier than expected.
Someone in the room fake coughed and it came from Perseus, Diane's father, god of swordsmanship, commitment and many more.
"Oh yes, Alethea." Zeus smiled as he mentioned his youngest granddaughter's name.
They move on quite fast. The three of us were transported back to camp to wait for news I guess.
Percy's POV
"The titans were released by that traitor's son Nico as we have just been informed." He took a short breather, "We shall grant her this test. The goddess of laughter and tears alone shall put these titans back to the darkest part of the underworld." He said. WHAT? I jumped up. Artemis eyes widened as her father finished his sentence.
"She's just four years old. You expect her to defeat these titans? Are you crazy?" I said at once.
"I have faith in my granddaughter. I expected that you should have. The daughter of the most skilled archer and the god of swordsmanship, born with Ichor flowing through her veins from the beginning, could fight an army of monsters in a matter of minutes." I decided he was telling the truth because Diane was silent (you do not want to tell her lie, she'll burst).
After a few moments, a mist surrounded Diane. It wasn't that startling and it didn't look threatening so no one moved until danger was evident. Images were depicted and almost all were too horrifying that Artemis had to cover my youngest daughter's eyes. I couldn't describe them since they don't look real. Almost all of them look symbolical. Maybe her mysterious side is acting up.
When the mist cleared up, Diane just sat there on her seat with wide eyes. Artemis whispered something to her ear then she nodded slowly. All eyes were towards me again, "Fine, my wife and I will train her until they form completely outside the gates of Tartarus. It will be her birthday by then. She will fight the titans but I request that all the immortals be there to witness." One picture Diane's mist shown was something like Ichor flowing in a body of water. I would be comforted to know Alethea wasn't the only immortal anywhere she was.
Zeus dismissed the council. My family walked up to our house and I asked Diane to make Alethea take a nap. She didn't argue since Alethea's yawn demanded to be put to rest.
"Artemis, I'm worried." I buried my face in my hands as I dropped myself on the couch. My voice was trembling and I could just burst into tears.
"I am too but we will train her." She sounded so determined and strong and her hand on my shoulder was firm and comforting. What a lousy husband am I? Don't answer that.
"We're in this together Artemis." I reassured her and let her sit on my lap. I combed my fingers through her hair and kissed her ear before quickly whispering, "I love you." I felt the need to say that more than ever. It gave me hope but now there was a hidden message, "keep them safe please". I felt that something bad was going to happen (not that there was nothing bad happening right now).
I felt her tense up a bit but she relaxed and replied, "I love you too."
I am so so so sorry I updated kind of late...School.
And since then, all of my ideas went down...don't you just wish to have a pen or some writing material attached to your body and pieces of paper that will never your side (and some awesome penmanship I might add)...kind of delayed but I have the end part still in mind (let's see where this goes since I decided to plot twist :D haha)
I hope y'all enjoyed this chap! Review!