Hey guys! Thanks for all the reviews last chapter. :) Ok, vague responses. Sorry if the last sentence of last chapter was confusing! I realized after posting the chapter that I had two articles next to each other, which is really incorrect grammar. Sorry! I was trying to say that someone sitting on a woven throne was the one that said "Wait". I hope that clears things up a bit! If not, just let me know. Send me a PM or something if you guys have urgent questions, okay? I always try to get back within twenty-four hours. And you know that I just have to leave cliffhangers every once in a while. We haven't really had a good one in a while, so it was about time I threw one in there. (Actually, most of the time, they aren't purposeful. They just kinda happen...) I did try to include some humor at the beginning of the last chapter, just to lighten things up and get us away from that god awful throne room for a bit. Plus, it was some angsty humor, which is always the best. Percy is suffering under the sky, his thoughts making less and less sense as he's slowly crushed! How fun is that? Gotta love angsty humor. Ok, that's about it. I own nothing, but please enjoy this chapter! :)
Third Person POV
The throne room was silent in the wake of this news. Then, from the woven throne, came a firm voice. "Wait."
All eyes shot over to a tall goddess with long locks of straight brown hair. Her green eyes did not falter from their gaze, pinned on the king of the gods. Zeus frowned.
"What is it, Demeter? We were about to condemn this traitor. Why qualms do you have about that?"
Cassidy stared with wide green eyes as her mother stood up from her throne, wise eyes never leaving Zeus. Her long white chiton flowed behind her, cascading from the woven seat of the goddess's throne. It was a throne fit for the goddess of agriculture, certainly.
Demeter stared back at Zeus, carefully raising one perfect eyebrow. She said nothing, nor did her gaze falter. Zeus met her stare, but after a moment broke eye contact. He glanced back at the ground, knowing that if Demeter wasn't yelling at him about cereal, he should not cross her. "Fine."
The goddess of agriculture shot a smirk at her younger brother, stepped away from the base of her throne and approaching the motley crew of mythical beings in the back of the throne room. Atlas nodded at Demeter once, in respect, then crossed his arms across his chest and glared at nearly everyone else. His son was trapped under the sky, a full mortal with only the strength of a half blood, and these fools were wasting time!
The only reason he knew Percy wasn't dead yet was because the world didn't blow up.
Zoe stood next to her father, tapping her foot anxiously. Usually, she didn't mind attending council meetings with her patron, Artemis, but this time all she wanted was to get back to her brother.
Amanda glared harshly at everyone that glanced at her and everyone that wondered who the furious, redheaded girl was.
Demeter approached the group, ignoring the glare from the ex-general of the Titan army and the glare from the ex-huntress of Artemis. The goddess didn't spare a glance on the frowning dark-haired lieutenant of the hunt, either. She only had eyes for her pale, wide-eyed daughter.
The goddess of agriculture stopped directly in front of Cassidy, only a few steps away. She knew better than to get to close; she would scare her child away. Instead, she began to speak in a soft voice. She was dimly aware that the other Olympians had already started another argument, either an old one they renewed or a new one just begun, but she paid it no heed. "Hello, Cassidy."
"M-Mother," the brunette stuttered, cursing herself internally. This was probably the only time she would ever speak to her mother, and she couldn't even say a single word without verbally stumbling! Good gods, she needed to get ahold of herself. She tried again, clearing her throat and wiping the sweaty palms of her hands discretely on her pants. "Hello, Mother."
She gave herself a pat on the back for making it through those two words without tripping.
Demeter gave her daughter a small, sympathetic smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "My dear, I'm so sorry I haven't been able to see you before now. This is horrible timing, really, and I'm so sorry."
Cassidy found it in herself to frown through the delight that her mother was talking to her. "I know this isn't ideal timing," she confirmed. "After all, I'm going to be dead in a few minutes, aren't I?" She sighed. "But I'm glad I was able to talk to you at least once. That way, if I see anyone I knew in the Underworld, I can tell them that my godly parent did care about me, even if no one else did." She gave her mother a smile, tears slowing beginning to fill her eyes. "How many people can say they've met their godly parents?"
Demeter said nothing.
Cassidy, in the wake of the tense silence that followed, laughed slightly to cover her unease. "Sorry, I didn't mean to sound bitter, Mother. It's just... Depending on where they send me, maybe I'll see Dave again. You remember David Hermin, son of Zeus? He never really had a one-on-one conversation with his dad. They only met the one time, when Dave returned Zeus's lightning bolt." By now, Cassidy knew she was rambling, but couldn't stop herself from speaking. How much more time did she have with her mother before she would be tasting death brought upon her by Zeus's lightning bolt?
"Well," she continued, "Zeus only thanked Dave for bringing him the bolt. Then he left. And that's the only time Dave talked to his dad. So, depending on where I go in the Underworld, when Zeus executes me shortly, maybe I'll see Dave and I can tell him that at least you cared about me. Not many half bloods can say that, you know?"
Demeter stared at her daughter with sad eyes. "I suppose I knew that."
Cassidy nodded, rambling away. Who knew how much time she had left to live (other than those stupid Fates)? Suddenly, she found that she could hardly stop talking. "Yeah. So it's just a really big deal that we're having this conversation. I never thought I'd actually meet you in person, Mother." She paused momentarily to observe the woman standing in front of her. "Chiron always told me that I looked like you, but I never really believed him. Nearly all of my siblings have lighter-colored eyes than I do. Of course, you must already know that, giving birth to them and all. But my eyes are darker, so I never really believed Chiron."
"He is a bit of an old man, sometimes," Demeter interrupted with a small, hopeful smile. She hoped to bring up her daughter's spirits, to urge her away from these thoughts that if given time, would turn bitter and angry like a nest of bees in her mind. She didn't want her daughter to learn to hate her in death.
She didn't want her daughter to die, end of story.
And she wouldn't. Not if Demeter had anything to say about it.
Cassidy chuckled weakly at her mother's comment. "Yeah, he is. He's been around for too many millennia, I think. Seen too many demigods and gods to know to tell them apart. Especially since his father is a titan. He's seen his fair share of immortals!"
Demeter nodded, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand. "Yes, yes he has," she agreed cheerfully, before the smile was replaced with a frown. "Cassidy, do you want to die?"
The question caught the daughter of Demeter by surprise. Did she want to die...? What kind of question was that?!
If it meant being happy and being with Dave again, she didn't mind dying, per say. But would she rather live? She thought about her friends (mostly Amanda) standing behind her and everything they had been through. Even though she betrayed them, Amanda didn't want her to die on Mount Orthys by Atlas's hand. Did she want to live with punishment, or did she want to die and be free?
It took her a moment to respond. "I-I don't know," she stammered, eyes desperately searching her mother's. Did Demeter know something that she didn't know? "I thought Zeus said-"
"Zeus says a lot of things, Cassidy," her mother interrupted, taking a single step closer to her daughter. Thankfully, Cassidy didn't move away. She just stood her ground, staring at her mother with paralyzing confusion. "Not everything he says holds water."
"But he's the king of the gods," Cassidy argued, brow furrowed as she stared at her mother, wondering if the powerful goddess drank too much mead and nectar before the meeting. Could gods be drunk? Surely Dionysus could, that much was certain, but he was also the god of madness and wine (which go hand in hand, either way). Could an immortal like the goddess of agriculture become drunk?
Demeter continued with the argument, oblivious to her daughter's concerns. "He is the king of the gods, that much is true. But do you think he's ruled unchecked all these millennia? On many things, Zeus is able to manipulate the council into taking his side, hence the ancient laws and whatnot. But even the king of the gods cannot rule with ultimate power."
For a moment, Cassidy opened and closed her mouth like a fish. Zeus was the king of the gods. The god that didn't take shit from anyone. But here her mother, the goddess of agriculture for gods' sake, saying that she could change the mind of the king! It sounded impossible, but the daughter of Demeter wanted to believe it whole-heartedly.
"Really?" she said, voice barely above a whisper. If this was all a cruel lie, how would she come back from that? She wanted this to be true. She needed this to be true.
She made mistakes. Bad, terrible, fatal mistakes. Someone died because of her foolish choices. But she realized now that no matter what she told herself, she didn't want to die.
Demeter nodded, eyes comforting pools of green so similar to Cassidy's that she couldn't help but believe her with her entire being.
Cassidy opened her mouth, tears pooling in her eyes as the reality of the situation forced itself upon her. Zeus wanted to kill her. Even if he didn't control the Underworld, he would do everything in his power to make sure that she never reached Elysium and she never saw David Hermin, son of Zeus, again. His influence infiltrated every domain. Nothing was beyond the reach of the crooked king of the gods.
But with her mother standing before her for the first (and probably last) time in her life, Cassidy felt relief. No matter what he tried to do, she believed that this goddess that gave her life would save her life.
"I believe you," she whispered, a small, hopeful smile upon her lips. Upon hearing those words, Demeter's face lit up with relief.
"I won't let you die, Cassidy," she reassured. "Not at the hand of Zeus."
The girl nodded slowly, still taking everything in. "Thank you."
Demeter nodded, flashed her daughter a genuine smile, then turned back to the Olympian council. She regained her incredible height, seating herself upon her throne. Immediately, all talk ceased.
Zeus looked at his older sister with suspicious, narrowed eyes. "Have you said your goodbyes, Sister?"
The throne room was silent, as if everyone were holding their breath.
Demeter lifted up her chin, an expression of defiance on her face. "I have not."
If possible, Zeus narrowed his eyes further. "And why not?" he asked, tone dangerous and threatening, like the growl from a wolf about to pounce on an unsuspecting child.
Only, the child knew that by going into the woods, it would be tempting the wolves. The wolf didn't know that hidden behind the child's back, the child was armed with a lethal dagger.
Everyone awaited Demeter's answer, but she took her sweet time replying to the temperamental king. "Because my daughter, Cassidy Jones, will not be dying on this day. Nor will she be dying by your filthy hands."
Several gasps rang out through the throne room at this announcement. Zeus made no sound, nor did he make any motion other than to let an ugly scowl appear upon his face.
"Cassidy Jones is a traitor and a threat to Olympus," he growled lowly. "She must be eliminated."
Demeter raised a perfectly formed eyebrow, tilting her head a little to the side as she regarded Zeus with distaste. "Like the son of Atlas, Perseus?"
Zeus didn't realize the question for what it truly was- a trap. "Of course, like the son of Atlas! Both were scum that threatened the safety of our great city, and like Perseus was disposed of, Cassidy Jones must be as well."
Demeter stood up from her seat as if a shock had pushed her up and out of the throne. "Lies!" she cried, pointing a manicured finger at the king of the gods, whose eyes widened at the sudden accusation.
The goddess of agriculture spread her arms out wide to address the rest of the council. "The son of Atlas, Perseus, was no traitor to Olympus! He was not loyal to us, certainly, as he fought against us in the First Titan War! But that does not excuse what Zeus did to him!"
Apollo frowned from his golden throne. "What Zeus did to him?" he repeated, confused. "What did Dad do to him?"
Demeter shot a glare at Zeus, eyes narrowed to slits. "What did Zeus do to the son of Atlas?" she mused sarcastically. "He accused an innocent man, a virgin for Hades' sake, of raping and attempted raping of several Olympian goddesses and immortals. He even accused the son of Atlas of being the master strategist in the Titan War, when the only thing the boy was guilty of was helping his father!"
The goddess took in the wide eyes and confused stares from nearly all the Olympians except two. "Do you know why he did all this?" she asked, the question obviously loaded.
Hesitation was nearly tangible as no one wanted to answer the raging goddess. Finally, Hera, from her seat next to her paralyzed husband, said uncertainly, "No."
"It was because Aphrodite seduced him into eliminating all happiness from the life of the son of Atlas!" Demeter exploded.
Hephaestus frowned at his wife, who still hid her burned face in her hands, posing the question to Demeter. "Why would she do that? What did she have against the son of Atlas?"
Athena answered before Demeter could, realization illuminating her features. "He refused to sleep with her," she murmured loud enough for all to hear. The goddess then frowned at the other. "Isn't that right, Aphrodite?"
Miserably, the goddess of love nodded, still refusing to show her face.
Several curses flew around the throne room, many Olympians swearing in anger as this revelation came about. Hermes spoke up over all the muttered cussing. "But wait, how did Dad punish the son of Atlas? He was the guardian of the Garden of the Hesperides, wasn't he? Only Atlas could punish his son."
The others nodded, voicing similar questions and concerns. Demeter raised both her eyebrows, staring at Zeus. "Brother, do you wish to tell them or shall I?"
The king said nothing, much to the revulsion of the other Olympians. He didn't even bother defending himself. Surely all these rumors were the truth.
Demeter shrugged indifferently at her brother's silence. "Fine," she spat. "I will share your disgusting acts of cruelty with them."
The furious goddess turned to address everyone else once more. "Zeus approached the son of Atlas in the garden, right near the tree with the golden apples. He told Perseus that if he didn't leave the garden, then his five younger sisters would be taken to Olympus and used as playthings for any Olympian that desired them. The Hesperides were not above the influence of Olympus, after all; only Perseus was immune. Since Perseus didn't want his younger sisters, the youngest of which was barely a teenager, to be raped by Zeus and whoever else, he agreed to the king's terms."
Looking sick, Artemis said in a soft voice, "What were the terms?"
"He needed ask his father to allow him to become a mortal," Demeter started, lip pulled back in a disgusted sneer as her eyes lingered on Zeus. "Upon doing so, he would leave the mountain that he grew up on. After a few days to come to grips with his mortal life, Perseus would begin to be hunted. Hunted by the best huntress on Olympus, Artemis. Should he die too easily, he would be resurrected until Zeus decided he was done with his suffering."
Artemis swallowed hard, face ashen. "What of his sisters?" she asked reluctantly. "Would they be spared?"
Demeter hesitated. "They would not be taken to Olympus raped, so long as Perseus upheld these terms for the remainder of his eternal punishment. But they were not allowed to know of why their brother was leaving. He swore on the Styx not to tell them, otherwise harm would befall them. So in a way, they were not spared. They believed, until very recently, that their brother left them for a mortal woman and died of old age or mortality."
"How do you know all this?" Dionysus asked from his throne, slumped forwards slightly. Still, he was alert enough to remain dubious.
Demeter shot a cautious glance at the shadows along the wall directly across from her, where a pair of wide eyes peered out. "A friend told me."
No one argued against this; in fact, many of them had used the excuse of a friend to back their arguments in past meetings. Most assumed she meant herself or maybe Hestia, but since everything she said seemed valid, they had no arguments.
There was a brief moment of silence where everyone digested the facts that had been unveiled and left out in the open. It was like someone ripping a Mickey Mouse band aid off a gaping wound, the face of the beloved character coated in blood, but none had noticed until the band aid was thrown onto the table for all to see. And the wound was left open, unattended.
Demeter ended the pause by saying, "The son of Atlas was innocent. His only crime was being a good son, brother, and person." She looked around the room, making eye contact with everyone except Zeus. "And now he's stuck under his father's burden without the blessing of immortality to help him support the sky."
Hermes jumped up in his seat, eyes bulging. "He'll die! And then we'll die when the world explodes!"
Athena rolled her eyes. "Not immediately, brother. We'll live a little longer before the loss of mortals starts to catch up to us and then we end our lives in agonizing pain. Get it right."
Hermes stared at the goddess of wisdom, mouth open, before visibly shaking himself and looking back at Demeter, who was the unspoken leader. "What can we do to help him? He deserves our help, especially after all the shit my father has given him." Zeus flinched slightly when Hermes refused to call him dad.
"My daughter Cassidy doesn't deserve to die," Demeter said immediately. "But her actions cannot go unpunished. I propose we place her under the sky for the time being, freeing the son of Atlas and also his father."
"Why free the titan Atlas?" Ares asked from his throne with a frown, not caring that said titan was in the throne room at that exact moment. Atlas frowned in the direction of the god of war, but did nothing.
"He saved my life," Artemis said, face emotionless and unearthly pale. "He deserves to have a little freedom. He saved my life and he saved Olympus."
Slowly, everyone around the throne room nodded their agreement. Zeus saw all this from his marble chair, a deep frown settled upon his features. He knew even he could not change the minds of the assembled council.
"Fine. All in favor of placing Cassidy Jones, daughter of Demeter, under the sky as punishment for her betrayal?"
For once, every Olympian (bar Zeus) was able agree on a decision. Eleven hands raised themselves high into the air.
Hey guys! Ok, I didn't want to end it there but I'm so tired everything is blurry. So that's where I leave you until Thursday. A quick update, but only because of the days of holiday coming up. I am Catholic, so expect a delay soon! Sorry for the future. Thanks though! Especially because we have over 700 reviews now! :D Thanks. :)