AN: Hey guys, I hope you enjoyed the last chapter. It's been a few days, I'm sorry I don't upload every day, but I am not the greatest and most prolific writer, so I'm sorry if I take a few days to crank out chapters. Anyways, I know I'm dumb, I should probably do the Giant War. I will also try to make chapters longer. Lastly, there was a review saying I should do an OC for the Prophecy, and I agree, so I will end up making a son of Poseidon be the prophecy child, but Thalia will be involved in the story, and so will Annabeth, I'm just not sure who is going to go to camp Jupiter, the OC or Annabeth, so please let me know. Please enjoy!
Recap:
"For the same reason as you. Achilles has had his revenge, but it is time for Hector to go home. I may want Troy to fall, but this will only taint the name of two of the war's greatest heroes. If Achilles doesn't listen to reason, your names will be dishonored for eons instead of being remembered as valiant warriors who didn't fear death, instead of being legends, you will be villains. When your brother returns Hector's body, meet your mother on the beach. She had my half-brother forge him something that will help win the war." Athena said while standing up. Her body began to glow as Perseus watched the goddess enter her divine form.
Perseus' eyes widened as he saw an Olympian enter their true form for the first time. He had to admit that it was beautiful, and something most demigods would dream of seeing. He was able to, however, due to his immortality placed upon him by his grandfather.
Perseus sighed and began to walk down the beach, not looking forward to the conversations with his brother and then Priam and Hermes.
Present:
Perseus sat in the shadows of the Greek camp, waiting for the messenger god to show up. He thought that it would be wiser if he waited for Hermes and King Priam to arrive before speaking with his brother, hoping the grieving king would bring his brother to his senses.
He was surprised when the Goddess of Wisdom visited him, but her words mirrored his thoughts for the past week.
Perseus looked up to see a chariot in the distance, unchecked by Greek soldiers, confirming it to be Priam and Hermes, as the latter used magic to let them pass unseen.
The chariot stopped a few yards away from Achilles' tent, and two riders stepped off. The first was wearing a helmet that disguised his identity, while the second was just wearing a helmet with wings on it, along with winged sandals and a white tunic, and holding a caduceus in his right hand.
The duo approached the tent as Perseus slipped out from the shadows, making his presence known to the two.
Priam took a step back from Perseus, as he knew how capable and ruthless he was. Priam put his hand on the hilt of his sword, ready at a moment's notice.
"Don't worry, King Priam. I am not your enemy at the moment. I just want to help you get your son's body back," Perseus said wearily.
Priam was taken aback by the prince's words, and released his hand from the hilt of his weapon. "You are? Why?"
Perseus sighed. "Your son was a brilliant warrior, probably Troy's best. While I don't regret his death, I am sorry he didn't receive the rites and respect he deserved. I tried to convince my brother, but he was too vengeful, and his anger and stubbornness added to his refusal. You will need me if you want to get him back."
Priam nodded slowly. "Thank you for your efforts, I just want to give my son the rites he deserves."
Perseus looked at the king. "As you I, King Priam." He nodded at the king before bowing slightly at the god next to him. "Lord Hermes."
"Perseus," he acknowledged before gesturing the king to enter Achilles' tent. Perseus waited a moment, before following the King inside while Hermes stood outside the tent. When he entered, he saw his brother reaching for his sword.
Achilles snarled. "Priam, you have some nerve coming here alone."
Perseus stepped into the conversation. "He's with me."
Achilles glared at his brother. "You dare bring him without telling me!"
"Enough Achilles, you are being childish. Listen to what he has to say, he wouldn't risk his life for such a trivial matter," Perseus growled.
"Brisēís," Priam said surprised as she embraced him before returning to her lover. He was surprised she wasn't being held against her will, and mulled it over before turning back to Achilles.
"You are brave to come here alone," Achilles growled. "Do you know how fast I could kill you?"
Priam gave a small smile. "Do you think I fear death? I watched my eldest son die, watched his body being dragged through the sand. Please return him. He deserves a proper burial. Give him to me." Priam's eyes showed his true brokenness at the actions against his son's corpse.
Achilles scowled again. "He killed Patroclus! That man was more than a friend, he was my brother." Achilles said shaking his head. He looked over at his brother, whose eyes flashed with annoyance.
"He thought it was you," Priam replied. "How many people have you killed? Do you even know their names?"
Achilles opened his mouth to reply, but his brother cut him off. "Enough! Has your anger clouded your judgment at honor that much? This man is barely asking for anything, just his son's body, which you desecrated! If I was Hector, and my body was treated the way you treated his, what would you do? Would you not be in King Priam's shoes? After Patroclus' death, they didn't take his body, we gave him a proper burial. Now, give the King his son back so they can give the same rites to Hector!"
Achilles' eyes went to his feet, before his eyes rested on his lover's. Brisēís' eyes pleaded for him to agree.
"Take him," Achilles said brokenly. "I know this won't mean anything, but I am sorry. My brother is wise, and he is correct. No Greek will harm you on your way home."
Priam looked at the son of Thetis thankfully before heading out. Before he left, Achilles called out, "wait."
Priam stopped and looked at the prince.
Achilles turned to Brisēís. "Go with your uncle. Return home."
Brisēís looked at him in shock. "You want me to leave?"
Achilles shook his head sadly. "Of course not, but Agamemnon being here will always put you in danger, and I don't want you to get hurt. You will be safe with your uncle."
Brisēís looked at her lover with sadness, before giving him one last kiss goodbye. She melted into his arms as they kissed for the last time, before following her uncle out of the tent.
Perseus nodded in approval, but looked at his brother sadly, as he had experienced the exact same emotions with Zoë. He then followed the two Trojans and left the tent.
When they were all outside, Priam turned to the Myrmidon prince. "Thank you Perseus. Your skill on the battlefield is unmatched by your honor. I am in your debt."
Perseus shook his head. "Nonsense, you aren't in my debt. If you insist, my favor is a simple thank you, but you have already done that. Besides, returning your son's body was the right thing to do. Your son was a formidable warrior, and I enjoyed battling him, though the circumstances are dire. If we weren't enemies, I am sure you son and I would have been comrades."
Priam nodded gratefully before turning to leave. However, before he could leave, Perseus spoke again.
"Please give Hector the funeral he deserves, a funeral of a hero. No Greek will attack your city for seven days, you have my word."
Priam nodded gratefully, "Thank you."
Perseus just nodded with a sad smile on his face. Hermes gave Perseus a nod of appreciation before leading Priam and Brisēís to their chariot as Perseus watched them head back to Troy.
After they left, Perseus walked into his brother's tent, finding Achilles sitting at the end of his bed, musing over his thoughts.
"Come, mother said she would meet us at the beach," Perseus said.
Achilles got up without a word and followed his brother out of the tent. As they walked, Perseus looked at his brother sympathetically.
"You did the right thing brother. You had your revenge, and it was time to let go."
Achilles hung his head in shame. "I'm sorry for not listening to you. My anger clouded my judgement, and hopefully it won't happen again."
Perseus smiled. "All is forgiven. And I know it won't happen again, because if it does, I will knock some sense into you the hard way."
As they reached the beach, their mother was waiting for them. She immediately pulled both of her sons into a hug, comforting them on the loss of their friend.
When the goddess pulled back, she snapped her fingers, and a beautiful set of armor appeared onto Achilles' body, complete with a shield strapped to his back.
Achilles pulled the shield off of his back, and him and his brother admired the breathtaking depictions on the shield. They observed the images of the shield in awe, as they had never seen a shield quite like it.
Thetis couldn't help but smile at her sons admiring the shield. Truly, it was one of the most beautiful things the god of the forge had ever created.
Achilles finally broke his gaze from the shield and restrapped it to his back. "Why have you gotten this made for me?"
Thetis smiled, "It is one of the greatest works Hephaestus has ever produced, and will help turn the war in your favor. No Trojan will match your nor your brother as you lead the charge against them, toppling Troy and achieving honors men have not even dreamed of."
Achilles smiled at his mother and saw his brother nodding in agreement. He looked at his mother questioningly. "Why doesn't Perseus get armor too?"
Thetis looked at the ground sheepishly, "The forge god could only create one set of armor..."
"Brother, I don't need fancy armor. Besides, you need all the help you can get," Perseus said cheekily, dodging a swipe from his brother. His face then became more serious. "But really brother, I don't need armor. I need you at my side so we can take Troy together. No one will dare stand up to the sons of Thetis. There will be stories and songs and legends about us, about how we took Troy. The armor is a gift for you, and you will take it and become a legend. Together, we will become legends."
Thetis looked at Perseus, her pale green eyes shining with pride. She looked at Achilles and nodded to his brother's words.
"Let the Trojans have their time to grieve," Thetis said seriously. "However, when that time is over, you must show them who you are. You are my sons, and you are the greatest warriors Greece has ever produced."
Achilles nodded his head before Thetis went up to each of her sons and caressed their cheeks.
"You two have made me incredibly proud, and will continue to do you until your last breath. You are the greatest sons I could have ever asked for. Now go, grieve for your friend. After that, make the Trojans rue the day that my sons entered the battlefield. Go become legends." With that, Thetis flashed away in a sea green light, leaving the brothers together on the beach.
LINE BREAK
The fallout of Perseus' deal with Priam was anything but smooth, but they didn't really care. When Perseus told the Greek leaders on his seven day truce with Troy, Agamemnon exploded with anger. He said Perseus didn't have the authority to make that decision, and that they should attack while they are weak.
To Agamemnon's surprise, no one got up from their seats. They had seen what Achilles did to Hector's body, and believed the Trojans needed time to mourn, and they would give it to them. As Perseus left the tent, he looked over his shoulder, telling Agamemnon he could have Brisēís back.
He'd just need to go and break into Troy first.
Agamemnon turned as red as a tomato with anger, even throwing a cup across the room at the entrance after the prince had left.
The night before meeting with the Greek leaders, Thetis had told Perseus that the Amazons were a day away from reaching the shores of Troy, and would likely attack the moment they left their ships.
That is why Perseus was on a sole Myrmidon ship, a mile out to sea, waiting for the Amazons to approach him. He and his brother had a difference of opinion on the matter, so he decided to do it alone.
As he saw the Amazonian ships on the horizon, he raised a white flag, signalling he wouldn't attack.
The Amazonian ships came closer and closer before stopping a few hundred feet away from Perseus' ship, while the main ship came forward, stopping only twenty feet in front of the Myrmidon ship, ensuring both parties could hear each other.
"What do you want, filthy male," one of the Amazons hissed, glaring at Perseus. Perseus smiled, as they acted similarly to the Hunters of Artemis.
"I just want a moment with Penthesilea," Perseus replied.
The Amazon scoffed, but quieted when a woman with beautiful battle armor and regal features appeared, raising her hand to quiet the Amazon.
"Who are you, and why do you wish to speak with me?" Penthesilea asked.
"I simply need one moment of your time," Perseus said with a smile. "Should you decide you don't want to hear what I have to say, you can continue your trip to Troy. I won't stand in your way. If you want, you can try and kill me."
Penthesilea was silent for a moment, before speaking up. "Bring your ship closer so we can speak."
Perseus nodded as his ship lurched forward, coming to a stop a few feet next to the Queen's ship. Perseus stepped to the railing of the ship before making the sea jump up and hardening the water to create a makeshift bridge between the ships.
The minute he stepped aboard the Amazonian ship, there were multiple spears leveled at his chest. "That's not the greatest of ideas," Perseus said seriously.
One of the amazons stepped forward. "Why would that be, male?"
Perseus smirked before stepping forward into the spear, causing the tip to snap, leaving everyone aboard in shock.
"I'm just here to talk, but if need be, you guys would probably all end up either dead or unconscious while I am standing tall. So, shall we talk, or do you want to fight?"
"What do you want? Who are you?" Penthesilea snapped harshly. However, she did gesture for the Amazons to drop their weapons, which they reluctantly did after another command from their queen.
"My name is Perseus, son of Thetis and brother of Achilles," Perseus said calmly. "I am here to convince you to return to your home."
Another Amazon leveled their spear at his chest. "You lie, only a son of Poseidon has that kind of control of water."
In the blink of an eye, Perseus snatched the spear from the Amazon's grip. He spun it expertly before swiping the Amazon's legs, causing her to fall onto the deck. He then leveled his spear at her throat. "I am who I say I am, I swear it on the Styx, call me otherwise or this meeting won't end well for you," he snarled as thunder boomed overhead.
The Amazon's eyes widened at the oath before Penthesilea spoke up. "Enough! I don't care who you are, but we have made a deal with King Priam and Troy."
Perseus pulled the spear back from the Amazon's throat before tossing it to the Amazonian queen. "And what deal is that? I can make you a better deal, especially since Troy is on the ropes. We will breach the walls soon, and I do not want the war to be prolonged. I feel with your interference, the war will just drag on before Greece eventually wins. However, if you don't join, the city will fall soon, and your people will be spared."
Penthesilea glared at the demigod. "Priam has offered us a vast amount of wealth."
Perseus looked at the queen. "But what if I can offer you more?"
Penthesilea shook her head. "We will not fight the people we agreed to help, that would be dishonorable."
Perseus nodded his head. "I completely agree, and I am not asking you to fight against Troy. I simply ask for you and your people to go home. I will give you more than what Priam has offered you. I know the Amazons are formidable warriors, but you cannot change the outcome. The Trojans are leaderless due to Prince Hector's death, and they are on the ropes. Entering the war will only lead in more deaths on both sides."
Penthesilea looked at him with suspicion. "You don't know what we were offered, how can you possibly promise to give us more?"
Perseus smirked. "Send someone to my ship and you'll see. Take my offer and all of it is yours."
Penthesilea gestured for someone to go onto Perseus' ship. Perseus quickly made another water bridge and the Amazon tentatively put her foot on it. When she realized it was safe, she continued onto the Myrmidon ship.
The Amazon was below deck for five long minutes, and Perseus just stood on the Amazonian ship whistling a tune his mother used to sing to him. When the Amazon came back up, her eyes were as wide as dinner plates.
"Well?" Penthesilea asked.
The Amazon nodded quickly. "I have never seen that much wealth in one place, it is much more than the Trojans have offered us."
Penthesilea looked at Perseus. "You would just give it all to us when our interference wouldn't change the outcome, why?"
Perseus sighed. "I have been here for nine years. Nine long years. I am here because a queen was stolen and some puny prince fell in love. I want to go home. While my brother would enjoy having the competition, as he lives on the battlefield, I just want this to be over, and I want to just go home. Your people would just prolong the war, and I don't want your people trapped inside Troy when we breach the walls. This wealth is barely half of what we have accumulated from raiding towns nearby to Troy. However, I would trade it all for the war to end immediately."
Penthesilea listened to his reasons before turning to the prince. "We must speak about your offer in private."
Perseus nodded and brought his ship closer to the queen's ship and jumped the distance and went below deck.
Penthesilea and the Amazons were shocked by the ease of the demigod, before ordering them to sail back to the rest of the ships. Perseus hoped they took him up on the offer. What he didn't tell her was that if she refused, he would try to sink as many ships as he could before they reached Troy. That would not have been the best offer to the prideful Amazons compared to a ship of gold.
However, none of the gold was his. All of the wealth on the ship was part of Agamemnon's riches he had recovered during the war. Even though he didn't have Hermes' support in the war, he imagined the god was proud of the thievery he had pulled off.
He went back above deck as he saw an Amazonian ship returning. The ship stopped a few feet from his and a plank was placed, connecting the two ships together. Penthesilea stepped forward and addressed the demigod with a smile. "We have accepted your offer, son of Thetis. As long as you stay true to your word, we will head back away from Troy."
Perseus bowed to the queen. "Thank you Queen Penthesilea. I promise, as soon as the treasures are loaded onto your ship, they are yours."
"How did you know we were coming today?" Penthesilea asked curiously.
Perseus smiled. "My mother. She told me you guys were coming today. My brother and I had a disagreement, so she told me and not him."
The queen raised her eyebrow. "What was his solution?"
Perseus frowned. "To let you come and cut you off before you reached Troy."
Penthesilea's eyes widened. "So, you would rather give us more wealth than we ever imagined than fight us?"
Perseus looked at the queen tiredly. "Like I said, this war has been going on for too long. I have killed thousands, if not tens of thousands of men during this war. I do not want to add the Amazons to the list."
Penthesilea looked at the demigod gratefully. "For that, I thank you. You have made a friend today, son of Thetis. It will not be forgotten."
"Thank you my lady, you are a powerful friend to have and for that, I am grateful," Perseus replied with a smile.
After the Amazons finished loading all the gold onto their ship, Penthesilea offered her hand, which Perseus took with a smile on his face.
"Pleasure doing business with you Perseus," the queen said smiling.
"The pleasure is mine," Perseus said with a smirk.
The Amazonian Queen raised her eyebrow before heading back to her ship. As the plank was put back on their boat, Penthesilea gave a departing wave to Perseus, which he happily returned, watching the Amazons sail away with half of Agamemnon's war prizes.
AN: Hey guys. Long chapter, yay! I didn't want to split it up into two smaller chapters, so I made it one big one. Anyways, I'm struggling on something. I'm unsure about how Apollo finds out about Achilles. I don't want to make Brisēís bad, and I like Apollo, so I don't want him to be an asshole and seduce her and force her, so should I do some god of knowledge BS, as Achilles told someone that wasn't his family? I'm unsure, please let me know. Anyways, please let me know of your ideas, and please review!