This was beyond fun to write, this is one of the best chapters in it's own way... filler but powerful. I love it... so much.
"Alright, how is this?" Aaron showed Charlie the drawings he had made of Hera's new shrine, it wasn't derivative of the Gazebo like he wanted to do. Instead the idea was a small plot of land with a tree in it's center and windchimes all around it. Normally Charlie would have nothing to do with it, not on any real level bar making the windchimes, however he respected his friend enough to want his opinion. "I was thinking that we add bird houses too, a shrine to life giving power and maternal devotion."
Charlie's eyes widened. "This would be a relativily small project... do you think it's enough for the Queen of the Gods?"
"I think so... the Shrine would be devoted to Hera's more naturalistic presence, Motherhood. I think she would appreciate a natural place for this." He remembered what she said about that old shrine and thought it felt fitting. "By showing devotion to it, the tree and it's trinkets, we are replicating the devotion of a mother for her child and that would be appreciated."
"If you say so... I can start on the windchimes, I have some idea... one that turns from peacocks to Lotus flowers as the wind blows. Maybe some muscial chimes as well... yeah that would work." He froze. " Why are we doing this though? I mean I don't mind honoring the Queen of the Heavens, but why now?"
"She asked me too and frankly she made a good point, she has done a lot of bad but she has also done a lot of good that deserves to be respected. We don't really honor her here and that isn't right. Plus I think she is willing to turn over a good leaf and that should be encouraged."
Charlie smiled at that. "Turning over a new leaf... sounds like Silena. I can get behind that. Don't you worry, this is going to be amazing... but it comes at a price. We need to hang out, we've been so busy that we haven't done much with or around each other. I want to actually see you sometime soon."
Aaron embraced his beloved friend, his first friend at the Camp. "I would love to hang out with you. We have a firework show coming up, We can go to that and just hang out. I am dying for some R and R. Life's been too stressful. I am turing even greyer." He pointed to his pure white hair, making both boy's laugh a little. "We can invite the others if you want, I haven't had time for any of you lately."
"That would be great. I miss Will and Silena... the four of us spent most of the last year together, it feels weird not to see each other just because it's the summer."
"Agreed."
"""
"Should I feel jealous, you are making another shrine." Dionysius faked a pout, making Aaron laugh hard. "Never forget that I was the first you crafted for."
"Like I could ever do that." He sighed. "Life is calming down again, I just hope it stays this way for a while."
"I sense it will. There are not many demigods left for you to grab, at least not any that are active. I can sense that much for you. Build you shrines, make great honors for the gods. I foresee nothing but benefits for it... however I do have a request for you." He leaned in, looking so serious it startled Aaron considerably. "I need you to help my sons bolster their skills. I have a bad feeling and I do not wish for them to die young. I want you to help them to help themselves."
Moved, Aaron nodded. "Of course. I need their help with the Shrine to Hera anyway, to bolster the tree I am planting, this will only give me an oppurtunity to speak to them. If I were you, I would do the same, advise them to take their training more seriously. They are powerful kids, I can sense as much, and they are very kind. That is rare enough."
"I can do that... sigh, I so rarely have children that when I do it hurts all the more to see them die. We gods cannot interfere directly, but we can advise our children though they so rarely listen. " He offered a warm but deeply sad smile. "I have lost so many children over the years, I never have forgotten about a single one of them. I know I act despotic and cruel but they mean the world to me. It is, in part, why I agreed with your statement to be kinder to the others. I want to make this place better for them all."
There was a moment of silence, one that grew inside of Aaron more respect for the God then he had before. However before they could end it, an extremely powerful presence interrupted. It was familar, deeply so, and they both turned to the spot where it would form, just in time to see a very stoic Hermes revealing himself. Aaron instantly bowed, shaking with utter terror, or at least tried to before Dionysius pushed him up.
Hermes turned his cold eyes on him for a moment before sighing. "I want to hate you, but I cannot... you made a Shrine to honor us Messenger gods, myself naturally included, you organized help for my children and those I am patron to when it comes to combat training... you are a good kid who did what was needed at the moment in time." He sighed deeply once more, then took in a deep breathe. " Do not fear me, kid. I promise to never harm you so long as you do not deserve it. Right now you do not deserve it."
"Thank you, Lord Hermes."
The god waved his statement aside. " Think nothing off it... I am here for a delivery, from Hera...and Hepheastus. I need you to sign for both of them." He handed a board to Aaron, which he quickly signed, hands still shaking. "There... now these deliveries comes with a message. From Hera... You are herby alloted power over the the skies, just as you have on the Earth, in the Sea and the Underworld. Your magic will not be inhibited or breaking laws by tapping into these forces." Hermes then handed him a bottle, small and made of thin glass but inside contained what looked like a tiny white star. " Just break the bottle."
Looking towards Mr. D, he got a nod and so he obeyed. The instant he did, the magic inside the bottle, the blessing of the Queen of the Heavens, exploded over him and sank into his skin. He felt freer, like chains had been lifted from his body and soul. "Thank you, Lady Hera."
Hermes nodded. " Hepheastus' gift is a little more complicated, but it is in return for saving his daughter, Lily. Had she not been saved, she would have died. That was her Fate, but you changed it. In honor of this, you have been granted this." From inside his pocket, Hermes pulled out a single coin on a string. It was sheer bronze but smelled of oil and fire, if that made any sense. On one side was a drawing of flames, on the other was Hephaestus himself. "It allows you a single temporary blessing of your choice, so long as it it within his power." He held it up, looking at it cautiously. " My advice, be careful when using it. I foresee that it will come in deeply handy... some day. That is all I can say on that." He handed it to Aaron, who placed it around his neck, where it clicked against the Stygian Ice Medal Hades had given him almost a year ago. "Well, that is all... I guess I will see you later. See ya, D."
With one last nod to his brother, Hermes vanished in a swirl of wind, leaving Aaron to collapse into his chair once again.
"Well that was terrifiying."
"I can imagine it was. Hermes is a scary god if you piss him off and you managed to do just that. I would be careful around him in the future."
"Oh, I plan to be."
"""
"Castor, Pollux, you ready?" Aaron planted a sapling, a Rowan tree. He had chosen Rowan for it's powerful protective qualities and the power it held in magic, he felt Hera would appreciate it. "I need you to focus a great deal of power here, as close as you can without passing out or dying. This is extremely important. We are creating a monument to the Queen of the Heavens!"
The two boys, handsome in their own right, nodded. Pollux, the more talkative of them, spoke up. "Wouldn't it be better for a child of Demeter to help here? They're stronger then we are."
"Yes, but I realized you two are powerful in your own right and you need more practice. It clicked to me that you have more power then you realize and should be practicing to become more powerful. I can sense that you are mighty forces each of you."
They both blushed deeply, twin blushes on each cheek. It was Castor's turn to speak. "You talked to dad, didn't you? He was just telling us to train harder..."
"Yes but that doesn't change the fact that you are powerful and understated. I think you two need more training, to prove yourselves beyond just being a weaker version of Demeter's kids, you have many powers they don't have and you really can add a lot to the world... now, let's do this." Closing his eyes, Aaron reached down into his soul and into the Earth and pulled as much power as he could safely wield. Then, he uttered a simple spell, the same spell he used on his roses, only adding far more power. "Terra est a vita. Terra est a vita. Terra est a vita."
He felt it, the power of Dionysius rushing through the air, the magic of the Earth and his soul mixing together, all channeled into the Rowan tree which started to grow at a fast rate. Would it have been faster with Demeter's kids? Yes. Would it have been faster with the Saytrs and Nymphs channeling their powers? Absolutely! But he wanted to show these two that they had power and they could contribute far more then they currently had to the system and to the Camp. They needed an ego boost and damn it he would give it to them.
Minutes passed and the strain became too great for all parties involved, so they dropped their magic. Opening his eyes, Aaron saw that the sapling went from three inches around and about Knee high to as tall as he was and at least a foot around. It wasn't perfect but it was a serious growth and he was proud of it.
The twins were panting, exhausted by the powerful magic they wielded, but their faces were marked with pride. "We did that?" They said as one, startled and amazed.
"Yes. You did... see what I mean, how much bigger would it have been had you played with your powers more? If you had seen what you were truly capable of?" They nodded. "I expect you to take your lessons more seriously and to spar with me a few times a week. Hell join Aphrodite's cabin and see what your weapon skills can become. You've got this, you both are good athletes already, this shouldn't be too hard for you."
"Thank you, Aaron." They said as one once more. " How can we help you from here?"
"Wanna help me hang these windchimes?"
The Tree looked amazing just a few minutes later... and, after a quick sacrifice of blood, it started to radiate the power of Hera, the Queen of the Heavens. Power rippled from it, coursing across the ground at the speed of sound almost knocking all three boys on theit butts. Aaron looked up and saw the barrier for a moment, strengthend by Hera's magic and potent power. It wasn't a massive increase but it was something to appreciate none the less. The love of a mother, imbued into the Barrier in addition to the Power of the Fleece, the blessing of Persephone and Thalia's sacrifice. It was a fitting offering.
Standing straight, Aaron took a deep breathe and noticed the air felt sweeter, the Magic of the Earth stronger... everything felt more right.
"I think we just did a good thing, my friends..."
They both just nodded, wide eyed and very, very pleased with themselves.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was so much fun to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.