In Life's Name and for Life's Sake

by GuardianXAngel

Where ever the Lone Power goes, Wizards follow. Their goal is to combat the spread of entropy in all its forms. What happens though when a war amongst the Powers that Be, the Gods, causes so much entropy that it masks the arrival of the Lone Power? Follow Alexander as he interacts with Olympus in an effort to stop the rise of the Titan Lord Kronos, if it is not too late already...

4. I Gutted a Goddess and Got Away with it

Completed: July 29, 2018

Edited: August 31, 2018

Second Edit: September 3, 2018

A/N: While it has been a year since this chapter began I have yet to lose my passion for it. I believe you all will enjoy it as much as I did writing it. Let me know what you think.

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I Gutted a Goddess and Got Away with it…Mostly.

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June 24, 2006

I survived the dreaded Council meeting! Well, I survived it by making an enemy out of at least half the Council, well likely the entire Council. First I made it clear that I wasn't apologizing for the strategy that I took. Well, I wasn't going to apologize at all beyond the severity of the damage. That I didn't want to attack them as they were children was stated of course.

This led to a debate as to why I would attack with such ferocity on children and I told them that they were soldiers of Olympus who had no choice to fight or die. That led me into a discussion of past Council actions and… well, let us say by the end of my speech I had made an enemy of nearly all the members.

Forced into a Trial by Combat I exercised my right to select my opponent and chose Lady Hestia to be my opponent. I might have made a mistake given the ruckus that caused. A big one yet I cannot for the life of me figure out what it is. Either way, I am in the cells of Olympus waiting for the big day to arrive, June 25.

Backtracking though, today, I was able to relax for the first time in years, years! I know world ending and all, but still, it felt as if the sky had been taken from my shoulders and was taken by another. Of course, the downside was that I was now in debt to Lady Hecate and owed her a favor. But for now, I would enjoy being debt free.

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Monday couldn't come soon enough, and yet I wished it was still Friday. Instead, it was Saturday, and I was still feeling the effects of yesterday.

Earlier today Chiron was indeed forced to call Lord Apollo in to assist. He came in ready to work and in short order, or short for us. He had healed every one of their most critical injuries. He even lessened any of the scarring, especially the scars on the faces.

Then he found my hiding spot, or rather my room where I was 'relaxing.' It wasn't what I would call a fun conversation.

"So you're the one who caused all the mess."

I turned around to see a tall blonde haired blue eyed man wearing a doctor's outfit complete with stethoscope leaning against the door frame.

I stood from my chair and turned to face him, "Lord Apollo," as I bowed in respect.

"Tell me what caused you to do that much damage in what was supposed to have been a game?"

What could I say, that my patron demanded I upstage the camp? An easy enough rebuttal would be that it was left to me to decide how to execute the demand. "Past experiences in a war zone, control the battlefield was priority one. I knew that I wouldn't win or be taken seriously unless I pulled out the big guns. It was never my intention to cause any mortal or fatal injuries."

"Really do tell."

His voice while light had a hardness to it, a current of danger could be felt. Goosebumps appeared on my arm, and I spoke carefully.

"I did not have what you would call a formal demigod education. Everything that I learned I learned the hard way. The spells that I created were meant to put down an enemy…hard. To be honest while potentially lethal, I have other spells that I could have used against them."

"Why didn't you?"

I turned again to face the newcomer, who was standing by my desk?

"Lady Athena," I bowed again. I could feel a cold sweat appearing on my brow. This was an informal interrogation. My life potentially was on the line.

I swallowed before answering, "The powers that I am using are not the same as the other magic users. They have magic, and it is like an external battery. Once it's gone, you need to let it recharge. Me, I can do what I want so long as I do not cause death for the sake of death. I fight for life. A violation of that mandate means I will face punishment, harsh ones."

She raised an eyebrow, so I continued. She had that look that both irritated me and annoyed me to no end. "The next set of spells up would have been instantly lethal. The spells that I used were damaging yes but more in the lines of debilitating not death, I made sure of that. Not one person died after all.

I saw Lord Hermes rub his jaw with his left hand. When did he arrive? "Then why did you nearly end a lot of lives?"

"The nearly part stems from the fact that my spells can be overloaded if I so chose. I chose not to in keeping with the fact that this was not meant to be a replica of an ongoing war. I mean war in general." No doubt, Athena had caught me little slip. "I know there is the potential for death in every capture the flag game. I know the last death was in 1943, a son of Ares killed a son of Nike for being a part of the German Army while he was a part of the American. Something about wanting to even the score for all the dead lost to the wolf packs. The attacks that I used were painful but not lethal. Not one person died as a result of my attack. The injuries were severe yes but not life-threatening. This was a capture the flag game gone sideways due to, and Chiron has made it clear that I stepped over the line."

"Your good Guliani but you can't lie from me."

I turned again, this time to my right facing my bed, "Lord Hermes," bowing again in recognition of another God in my presence. A bit late but still etiquette demanded that I acknowledge him.

"In what way did I lie?"

"You enjoyed causing your fellow campers pain, you enjoyed knowing how much confusion they were experiencing."

"Knowing that I enjoyed controlling the battlefield, thwarting every attempt to co-opt my territory is not the same thing as wanting to injure every attacker. Did I feel pride in taking down one…opponent before moving onto the next? To an extent yes, your right I did. I treated them as the hardened soldiers that I believe them to be, everyone not on my team was an enemy, and I wanted to win. At the same time, I wanted to show off. To make everyone realize that ignoring me was going to be costly. Of course what I did was the blunt hammer kind of tool instead of a precision tool."

"Why didn't you," asked Lady Athena.

"My patron asked for a statement, to make a show of my might and by extension hers. If I had snuck in and taken the flags by stealth, it wouldn't have made the same statement and by extension angered her. In fact, it would have been anti-climactic. Instead, I fought them on equal ground and came out on top."

"That is, that's why you caused so much injury, to make a statement of power?"

"Personally, no, I would rather have sat back and let each side do each other in before making my move, it is more energy efficient. Instead, I had to be flashy." I grimaced at the thought of that, "not only was it wasteful it was physically exhausting as well." Wasn't that the truth, I didn't have a lot of experience in massive battles. I know I know, but in every case, I only fought to get away….Gods this was a pirate of the Caribbean moment wasn't it. I must fight…to run away. It was true though, I had no interest in fighting against Gods. I left that to the Gods and nobody else. I can count on one hand the number of times I had to face off against a God alone. None of which turned out for the better…for me at least. This is of course not counting the fights against the Titans.

"I assume Chiron has punished you for your actions this last Friday."

"I have been the punishment, for crossing the line is one week without dessert per camper. With roughly a hundred plus campers injured, that is a hundred additional weeks without mint chocolate chip. Over two years in all."

"You play a dangerous game demigod."

I didn't respond, I didn't believe I had to.

Next thing I knew I was alone. The two Gods and one Goddess had left leaving me shaken. I decided to forgo my chair again and sat on the bed. Before I sat though I murmured, "It is a game all wizards play though I think that I am playing Texas Hold'Em while everyone else is playing Blackjack."

I swung my feet so that I was lying on my back. No longer tired from having to deal with the silent disapproval the camp was giving me I had other worries. Like what the Council was thinking, what was each God and Goddess going to do?

I was right, the Camp has its own rules to punish those who errored. I just hope that I won't be punished more than that.

I closed my journal and wandered out of the cabin. I wanted to see the world, to see the ocean, the sky, and trees. I wanted to give a tour so badly it hurt. I fingered my ranger hat by the door. Letting my fingers glide over the straw, the leather belt that marked it as an NPS hat and not a plain Stetson Hat.

I set it down reluctantly and opened the door and left my room. Time to face the music, I mean children.

I knew that it was lunchtime, which meant that I would need to show my face once more. After that, I would work on my lesson plans. However, I did have a rough sketch.

I planned to again showcase my magical skills. Apparently, Lady Hecate was so pleased with my performance that she assumed my debt. I was ecstatic when I found out, I was! No more life or death missions for the moment. No more knowing that I was on borrowed time. After all my reservoir of magic had to be paid back, have too high a debt and it may be the only way to pay it back was with your life.

Now I was free for the first time in years, years!

Of course, the downside was that nothing was free, especially with HER. She would be collecting on that debt and considering the size she could ask for quite the favor. Or maybe I was too cynical, and it really was a freebie.

But enough of that, I can deal with her LATER, muuucchh later.

I had a day to enjoy and enjoy it I would. I walked out the main door and headed towards the dining pavilion. I felt different somehow like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I knew it was ridiculous. After all, I would be expected to use my magic more liberally now. Then there was the fact that I had to deal with Olympus. I would need to figure out the best way to handle them. But for now, it was time to relax.

More specifically it was time to take a dip in the lake. Do you know how long it has been since I have been able to swim in the water and be able to relax? A long, long time, swimming was how I lost over twenty pounds last year. I was so happy. I didn't look any fitter. But knowing that I had lost weight was excellent. Or was it two years ago? Technically it was one year but two if you count the fact that I had traveled back in time. Gods I could feel a headache beginning.

Either way, once I became Lady Artemis's first and only demigod child following the disastrous excursion to Tartarus I wasn't able to go swimming anymore. Well, I couldn't go swimming earlier anyways. Once Ladies Delaney and Alejandra blessed me, I became an intruder. After being attacked one too many times by the Armies of Atlantis, I was forced to accede to the wishes of my benefactors and stay away from the sea…at least until I had no choice but to lead a semi-successful assault on Atlantis. That was a mess. Gods it was as bad as the evacuation of Olympus, and the mission to Tartarus, and…never mind.

First things first lunch, and I had arrived at the best location for it. Well, only place but heh.

I sat down one the only open spot on the Head Table. Chiron, Mr. D was already seated, leaving me to sit between the two satyrs…again. I put a smile on my face. Gathered what was left of the meal which was enough to make a roast beef sandwich lettuce and tomatoes with fries. I just about took a bite of the sandwich when I heard a cough. I looked to my right and saw Chiron looking at me. He nodded at the Brazier, and I took the hint. I gave a rueful smile and got up again this time taking my plate with me.

I walked to the center of the pavilion with the eyes of everyone on me. Well almost everyone. I knew that there was a great deal many still in the infirmary recovering. To Lady Hestia and I threw a portion of my sandwich in. I took another piece of my lunch into the fire, to Lady Demeter. I broke off a third of the last half and took a portion of my fries and honored Lady Athena.

Once that was done I walked back to my spot and dug into my reduced, like very much reduced lunch. Dear Lord, how can the Demigods survive on so little? In seconds I had eaten the reaming two thirds and fries. I must have been hungrier than usual.

I finished my lunch and reached for my empty glass. "Water," and watched it fill with water. I took a long gulp. I knew I was being rude. Well, not to the Gods I bet, but to my fellow campers. Then again I didn't really care what they thought. After all, they are at best a decade younger than I.

I finished my lunch and got up with a smile on my face. Time to go and play, there was time tomorrow to polish the next week's lessons. All I had to do was change into my bathing suit, grab my towel, and wait half an hour and I was good to go. It wasn't even one pm yet.

I was actually feeling chipper. I know, chipper! I practically bounced my way to Big House, no doubt to the consternation of the youngsters, all the way to my room. I changed as quickly as I could and located my towel as fast as I could.

I was off to the races!

I took the path to the sea I mean lake at a quick pace and was there in record time. Fine, it took me ten minutes, combine that with the ten to get to the Big House and the ten minutes it took to change and well just be lazy I was clear to swim without getting a stomach ache. After all having to wait ten minutes just so I can pass the thirty-minute mark would have been a pain.

The water was crystal clear, and I could see the naiads swimming about. Without pausing, I jumped in. Taking the lake a run I quickly became bogged down and thoroughly cold from the water splashing all over me. I was soaked, but that was the point, wasn't it?

I pushed my swim trunks to get rid of the air. Brushed the water out of my eyes and then adjusted my goggles so that I could begin my time of leisure.

I knew I looked funny but who cares I was just happy that I could swim again. For the first time in years, I could swim!

I began to swim my favorite stroke, the Breast Stroke. I swam like a frog that had eaten one too many flies, but at least I moved and didn't flail about and sink like a rock.

The naiads giggled at me, in flirtation or an explanation of how silly I looked I didn't know, and I didn't care. They were pretty, but they lacked Delaney's beauty.

I swam until I was so tired I couldn't go on. I crawled my way out of the water feeling exhausted but rejuvenated. Little did I know what going to happen next. I had scarcely dried off and put on my shirt again when I was whisked away in a blur or white, gold, blue?

Next thing I knew I was standing in the middle of the Council Chambers…again, facing the entirety of the Olympic Council. Who were not looking pleased with me. I don't think this is going to be enjoyable for me…I gave a snort which echoed throughout the chamber and hurriedly changed my face too as close to a blank look as possible. At least I would do that once the greetings were complete. Looking like I had not a care in the world when supplicating myself before those that would determine my fate would not be wise.

Regardless etiquette demanded that I greet the Gods and Goddess of Olympus. In what order though was the question? Lady Artemis was my 'mother,' and by rights, I should greet her first. However, as her father was her liege lord, it would be proper to greet him first.

I bowed deeply to the God of Justice, Lighting, and Sky. "Lord Zeus," I murmured. I turned to my 'mother.'

I bowed profoundly but not as profoundly, "Lady Artemis." She just gave me a glare. Understandable I had just announced that she was my mother to anyone that knew proper etiquette.

Finally, I bowed to the rest of the Council and with a flourish of the hand to show that I was addressing them all, "Lords and Ladies of Olympus."

I then straightened up showing strength, but humility with a downturned gaze. Now wasn't the time to make any more enemies, especially not after this morning.

I stood there waiting for a response, nobody said anything. One minute, three minutes, five minutes. This was a power statement, keeping the mortal waiting. To an extent it was working I was beginning to feel tense.

I needed to figure out why they had called me. It could be because of Friday, maybe Thursday, maybe both….shields! I needed to shield myself. I willed a mental shield into being, and I could tell from the sharp gasps of those around me they could no longer read my mind. Well, they could, but it would send me into a coma.

I could feel the killing intent now; there was no other way that I could describe it.

Finally, the storm broke at the six-minute mark, "Demigod," boomed Lord Zeus. "You are being charged with excessive violence in last week's Capture the Flag game. Do you have something to say in your defense?"

I pulled out a Nalgene from my pocket other space. I would need the time to think. I could tell the others weren't happy, but I didn't really care.

"As the Lord of Justice, you are no doubt that I have already been punished. Is there a reason the Council doubts Chiron's leadership abilities?"

I got only stony faces in response, i.e., they did not like my question and were ignoring it.

"When my patron asked that I remind the campers the strength of magic I knew that subtle was out of the question. While it is true that I could have chosen a subtle route let's face it, they are kids being taught the ways of war." I shrugged at that and began to sweat inwardly. I had opened myself up to a lot of flak. "Given how much of their lives are devoted to war I knew that one sharp victory would remind them of that of the dangers of complacency, afterward I could tone it down to a far more manageable level."

Powers! I need to stop talking, do I even believe what I am saying, I do not even know at this point.

"You said earlier that you treated them as hardened soldiers yet now you describe them as kids. How do you view them as?"

Easy answer, I turned slightly to face Lady Athena, "children, teenagers."

"Yet you brought enough force to put down hardened soldiers, why?"

"Because while I wish they could be children, teenagers, the cruel truth of the matter is that they are not. They will never be so long as they are sent on quests, and monsters pursue them."

"So it's our fault that you treated them like soldiers,"

I turned back to face the brown-haired Lady Hera.

"Unless you are accepting responsibility for the creation of all the monsters within the Olympic purview, then no I am not assigning blame Lady Hera."

"Yet you attacked them with the same viciousness as a monster, stated Lord Ares." Who had a grin on his face as if he approved of my actions. Maybe he did after all his children are all about the in your face war, not the direct the troops type of leadership.

"I object to that statement. If that were true, then there would be a lot of dead campers. If I am to instruct them in the ways of surviving the world, then they need to know that I know how to fight. Come Monday they will not underestimate me as badly."

"What makes you think you will be given a chance to teach," asked Lady Demeter.

"Unless your brother retracts his demand I need to come up with a lesson plan."

All eyes turned to him. He glared at me yet said nothing.

"Why do you want to teach them," inquired Lady Athena.

"I don't frankly, but War is coming and the opponents they will face will not spare them because they are children. If anything the terror, the torment, the agony they will face will go on for decades due to their youth."

"Then whose fault is it that our children are so unprepared."

"I would hardly say that they are unprepared. Instead, I would imply that they are Summer Children. Besides if such an order to not teach them was given it is not for me to debate previous decisions of the Council without leave Lady Hera."

"Permission granted DeemiiGod." I knew that tone. It was the 'tread carefully or be incinerated tone.'

Does that mean such a command really was given? Wow, well that explains much.

"The Council, by that I mean all twelve of you and all other Gods and Goddess within the sphere of Olympus. Are well known for using Demigods in various ways, some tales are famous. The Iliad, Homer for examples, while the vast majority are unknown to all but a few. In the past warfare was the norm. So individuals were trained to fight in their local towns, city-states. But not all were given such training, and thus they had to be sent to a training camp to obtain such training, and education on the monsters they would be facing."

I stopped to take a breath and another drink of water.

"Lord Apollo was the first to bring such individuals to Chiron, who we all know founded Camp Half-Blood. The beauty of such a system was that it ensured that all campers were taught roughly the same thing. Said individuals could then be at times sent off on quests with confidence that their knowledge was at the very least adequate. The ages of those going on such quests varied from adults to teenagers, to children. It is at this crucial hour that a decision was made. If a quest was given, then it was expected that the demigod in question no matter the age would accept. To not accept would bring shame and wrath upon him or her."

I took a moment to catch my breath and thoughts. My mouth it seemed was moving faster than my brain. Yet what I had said was true, wasn't it?

"This attitude has not changed since the Old Days though the number of demigods has dropped. I noticed at the camp that there are no adults present. Which led me to ask myself, what happened? Why are they not here? Even for a few weeks at a time, there should be adults at the camp. After all the camp is the safest place for them right?"

"I could think of only a few educated guesses. One the children that made it to adulthood and chose not to flee the west are still working as agents on behalf of Olympus. Two, the children that made it to adulthood have retired with the Council's blessing and are free to pursue their lives as they wish. Three said children upon reaching adulthood while given leave to pursue their dreams are forewarned that they still owe fealty to Olympus. Four due to being constantly on call the children that survive to adulthood are vastly reduced and scatter once they reach adulthood. Some stay and act as agents; some flee to lands beyond the Council's domain. Others retire to live their lives hoping not to be called upon."

I paused taking in the stony faces before continuing.

"However, that doesn't explain why…"

"HOW DARE YOU!

I was deafened for a few seconds. While I couldn't tell who had spoken, I did see who had been enraged enough to take action. Ladies Athena and Demeter stood. No surprise there both of them cared deeply for their children. Too bad they didn't love them enough. Lords Hermes, Hephaestus, and Apollo were all sporting faces eluding great anger no hate. Understandable I suppose but if they cared more about their children they would have done more.

I was non-pulsed, "apparently I was mistaken. Would someone enlighten this one?"

"You have some nerve mortal," ground out Lord Hermes.

"Yet there is a spark of truth that rings clear. Your favored son, the one who betrayed you had been sent on a quest right? The one that ended all quests until this very recent one…the one that resulted in tragedy? How much experience did he…"

Forced to duck from a blast of divine energy I could not help but feel like I was in a dream. I swore that I was back at Shiloh watching that pitched battle that would become a precursor to the later destruction of the resistance. Multitudes of explosions going off around me, divine bolts of energy, arrows going off like grenades. Men, boys, and girls getting lost, separate from their 'squads.' I had to shake myself from my dream. The bolt, well it sailed up and away, no harm to myself. The bolt crashed into one of the pillars behind me destroying it. As it fell, calmness to the storm began to creep inwards. I was now in the eye of the hurricane, one of my own labors. I snorted I didn't even answer Lady Hera's question. Well, I did just not directly. At this point though it doesn't matter.

"I move we incinerate Adrian, he has caused me too much paperwork."

I gave an internal sigh, looks like Lord Dionysus was actually awake for once. Yet I knew not to say anything. Time to see what the Fates had woven for me, do I live or die? Will I suffer in the Fields of Punishment or will I be cursed?

"Cue strike number one against Olympus," I stated rolling my eyes in the process. Looks like I went for it, so much for staying silent.

"Oh, do tell, What has my son done that is so bad?"

"Milord you sent him to Camp Half-blood as his punishment for going after a forbidden nymph. In doing so, he became Olympus personal representative to the children of Olympus. Most demigods don't ever see any of the Gods until much later. Furthermore, even upon meeting a God or Goddess they do not stay long. Lord Dionysus is the only constant godly figure present all day every day. Yet instead of currying good relations amongst Olympus children, he insults them. Refuses to say their names correctly; he demands respect and sacrifice yet doesn't provide any help or wise advice. The only advice he gave to Percy Jackson was to let him incinerate him and failing that be turned into a porpoise. No words of comfort, wisdom just plain rudeness…."

I took a deep breath, "A war is brewing. The Titans have no known mortal children of their own due to their imprisonment, and the few that do remain are loyal to Olympus. Therefore when 'he' is ready to wage his war where is 'he' going to find his armies from? It can't be comprised of only monsters after all."

There was a moment of silence at my words. Please let it be enough to spur action of some sort.

"I say we vote brother, this has gone on long enough." I looked at Lord Poseidon. I could see the sea green eyes within, the deceptive calm. Here stood a hidden power full of rage, anger, and strength. One that I think the many had forgotten over the span of millennia.

"I agree, let us vote," boomed Lord Zeus.

The wrong sort of action, but still forward progress is forward progress. The vote was a formality I knew what it was going to be.

"Those in favor of punishment," stated Lord Zeus.

Nine hands rose, well I had lost a lot of support since two days ago. Only Lady Athena, and Lords Ares and Apollo voted in favor of me. Lord Ares was understandable I had embraced the carnage of battle. His children would learn, or they would suffer. Lady Athena potentially understandable, as the Goddess of Wisdom and Battle Strategy she had to know that I took great pains to not kill anyone. That doesn't explain why she didn't vote against me. After all, I had humiliated her children, injured them, imprisoned them. Then again, I did the same for the others as well, so don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Lord Apollo though, what does he know that the others do not? After all as Lord of Prophecy, he has access to the future and all prophecies written by the Fates. So two of the five from last time voted for me, I had lost sixty percent of my support base. Not good, yet Lord Zeus one of the three who voted for me last time still wants me to teach the campers yet didn't vote for me this time. Is that a sign of support or stubbornness? I didn't know, either way, I had still lost his support.

Then there was Lady Demeter, I could not help but feel a pang of sadness and derisiveness regarding her. I wanted her support I really did, but in the end, the cost I paid to have her loyalty was higher than what I wanted to spend.

I gave an outward sigh, punishment time, what would I be subjected to?

As I listened to what they were proposing, I was growing iller by the second. Couldn't they see I was just trying to help? That I did not want to injure them, that I was on their side.

"Enough," boomed Lord Zeus. "We will have a trial by combat. His survival will determine his fate."

I.e., live, and I will be in the clear, die and punishment will have been rendered.

I took a step forward regaining their attention.

"As is the tradition I petition for the right to pick my opponent."

"Very well who do you pick demigod?"

I paused for a moment, "I pick…" and I looked down in thought, and then looked up having made my decision. "I pick Lady Hestia as my opponent."

All Tartarus broke look, the Council was screaming at me forcing me to my knees in sensory overload.

Eventually, they calmed down enough that I didn't feel like fainting.

"Explain yourself." I didn't know had spoken I didn't care at this point.

"I was asked to pick an Olympian to fight, and I picked Lady Hestia."

"She isn't an Olympian," another voice spoke up. I didn't even try to find the person who spoke they didn't matter.

"Yet one of her titles is the First Olympian, the Last Olympian."

"She doesn't have to accept," stated a third random individual.

"Then let us hear her thoughts on the matter," I replied.

I turned towards the hearth when I knew she would be tending the Flame of the West.

She had yet to stop tending the hearth, and we waited for a moment. Eventually, she turned around, and I could see the beauty she possessed, the whole I radiate home 'why would you want to hurt me feeling.' On her face was a blank look, like she didn't know what to think of me.

I looked her straight in the eyes she looked at me. I felt some sort of connection spark between us and then she turned to face her youngest sibling, saying two words that seemed to echo throughout the chamber, "I accept."

There was a feeling of astonishment in the throne room and dare I say despair seemed to emanate from the assembled immortals? I know who she is and what she is but despair… really? Did I miss something? I felt like I had forgotten something important. Yet what could be some important about a Goddess so timid it border lined cowardice.

"But Hestia…"

"I'll be fine brother he won't hurt me," and she turned her gaze back to me and I had to this time force myself to meet her gaze. I was feeling strange like a giant stone was in the bottom of my stomach.

"Fine, take him to the cells the trial by combat begins tomorrow at noon," ground out her youngest brother.

Lord Hermes at his fathers commands none to gently whisk me away to the cells. I am sure that being shoved into half a dozen or so columns was deliberate. I know the boot to my ass propelling me into the cell was.

He did not stay long; just long, enough to slam the door shut and leave. No doubt, he was still sore over the comment about his favored son.

I pulled out my book time to do some research on how to not only constrain a Power that Be but use could bind a Power that Be but the backlash would be a Life Price in return. I couldn't siphon their power since it would be too complicated even to simplify. All the while I tried to ignore the pain and bruises I could feel forming all over my body.

So I returned to the drawing board. I couldn't match her power pound for pound. Frankly, I didn't want to. I saw the look everyone gave when I selected Lady Hestia. To be expected though, she is the Guardian of the Flame of the West after all…even if she is an incompetent guardian at that.

I went over my list of top twelve spells. None of them would help me do any real damage

I felt my pulse quicken. I was in trouble, and I knew it. I put a clamp on my emotions, but my hands trembled still. Begging for mercy was out, their punishments were infamous. Plus the fact that I challenged their beloved elder sister, well I might as well just throw myself into Tartarus right now.

Wracking my mind, I hit the book again. I was reading about the temporal energy displacement related to the creation of an alternate reality.

If only such a thing were possible…I thought about creating a temporary parallel world while keeping the space-time continuum unbroken. What I got was a book that was twice as thick as before. I groaned, I was already tired and needed rest, but I forced myself to press on. My life was at stake, I could rest when I was dead.

The art of creating an alternate dimension is beyond all but the most powerful wizard's abilities. The best a wizard can hope to do it to create a pocket universe when he or she is able to manipulate the environment to suit their need. The process is long, arduous, and requires a considerable amount of power should the spell be shortened…

The page went on to describe the mechanics behind the creation of the spell, and then the act of physically manipulating your very own pocket universe. This is where it got interesting.

Once the pocket universe has been created look for the soul. The soul is essential to maintain control over the construct. Without it, one would be unable to do anything in the pocket universe. To manipulate a soul one needs to attach oneself to the matrix. Take caution that you do not harm the soul construct or risk the destruction of the construct, yourself, and the pocket universe…

Souls, I was reading about souls! I poured over the information. Groaning slightly when I realized that the required reading had gone up by 100%. I looked at the clock it had been two hours, and I still had the rest of today and tonight to plan. It was going to be a long day.

I read about everything from portals to the physical and mechanical properties of such, temporal parallel worlds and how to create them. In fact, I had no choice at times to reread certain sections just to fully understand them.

By evening time I was mentally exhausted and physically sore. However, I did have a plan. Now all I needed to do was to create the spells itself. Creating a spell is fascinating when one thinks about it. Spells are chains of words that when spoken have meaning. Correctly say them, and you get an expected reaction. Say them wrong, well it is as I was told. A spell always works.

I managed to get some shuteye. However, my self-appointed alarm clock still left me groggy from lack of sleep. I ate a breakfast of shredded wheat, milk, and a few Eggo Waffles. If I was to die, then I wanted to eat something good but nutritionally valueless. I did take my vitamin pill to counter the waffle. I gave a laugh and couldn't help but smile. If I genuinely cared about the Eggo Waffles, I just needed to eat something else!

By the time I finished breakfast it was ten am. I had two hours to contemplate my fact, my life to date, and the actions that led to this very moment. I knew I had been over the top, but that didn't warrant execution. I suppose I should have begged for mercy but how often does that work? This isn't a mortal ruler after all this is the twelve Olympians. Compassion isn't common or is it, and I didn't know because the Book only gave me the key examples? Either way, I had chosen my path.

The spell to create the virtual reality was about one thousand words. One thousand that was the second most extended spell I had ever created. The longest would be the time travel spell to get me where I was today. Thankfully, a spell was only active once it was complete. I could say all the words but the last one, and it would not work. It would be on standby but not be active until the last word was spoken.

I took out the book to say all but one word. I looked at my wristwatch; it was 10:20. I had not the time to spare. I spoke the first word and felt the power of the spell begin to take effect. At five minutes, the air was saturated with energy. At seven minutes, I could feel the power as it radiated off me. Once I hit nine minutes, I could tell I was on the homestretch. The power was visible to all that were around me, and I grabbed with reserves I had and sped onwards. I expected to be interrupted at any time and wanted to be done quickly. At thirty-seven seconds past nine minutes, I was done. All that was left was the long word.

A high-cost spell that was billed as a low-medium spell. All that was left was the one word, but before I could do that, I had to place the markers in four spots around us. This would define the borders of the spell. Once it was active, I could make the border bigger, but until it was active, the ward stones were vulnerable.

To protect the stones, I had hidden them amongst four firecrackers. I was going to be an arrogant sod and make an entrance to conceal my actual plan. If my virtual reality spell failed, I doubt I was going to get a second chance so I would have to fight her Old School.

The fireworks spell was another low-cost spell, three hundred and sixty-four words. Two hundred of which was for the masking of the ward stones.

I was ready by ten thirty-four. With both spells available, I felt jittery, nervous. I felt like I was preparing to make an assault on Orthys again. Knowing only that Lady Athena was trapped there and that it was the capital of the Titans. Which meant lots of Titans were nearby. Escape if noticed was practically zero and I could not fight more than one Titan at a time.

By eleven, I was hurriedly trying to create a secondary plan. If I had to fight her, what would I fight with? I did not have any weapons on my body besides my magic, Lord Hermes. He had ensured that when he picked me up from Camp yesterday afternoon.

At half past eleven, I had already relieved myself once and had gone over every spell that I had in my arsenal. I had even read about Lady Hestia. She is the eldest child of Lord Kronos and Lady Rhea. Considered exceptionally beautiful and powerful no doubt she has the lion's share of her parent's powers because she is the first-born. Promptly swallowed by Kronos to prevent the prophecy that one day one of his children would overthrow him. All of her sibling's bar Zeus were in turn swallowed and would stay in his stomach until their brother, youngest, would release them from captivity. They then escaped and prepared for war. A war that lasted a decade(?) and the overthrow of their father who was chopped into many pieces and thrown into Tartarus. Lady Hestia is Goddess of the Hearth, Home, and Family. She is also known as the First and Last Olympian.

I looked at the watch, it was eleven fifty-two, eight minutes to go before I potentially meet my Maker. I took out my journal and wrote out key facts that needed to be addressed as well as a little will. 'Typical stuff, convey my love to my parents. David and Charles are to divide my Star Wars Living Card Game between themselves. My NPS uniform was to be given to the uniform storage rack at Colonial National Historical Park, bar one complete set which was to be sent home. My sister was to get everything else including the money that I had saved up.

I also left a warning to anyone who might pick up my journal. That Lord Kronos was rising and that to avoid certain catastrophe things needed to be done. Like monitoring the demigods, ensuring the loyalty of all the minor Gods and Goddess. The confinements of the Titans were to be checked and strengthened to prevent escape. A watch was to be set on the entrances to Tartarus etcetera etcetera. Though if I die this will be someone else's problem, not mine.

I gave a loud sigh and put down my pen. I carefully marked my spot in the journal with the provided ribbon. I was time; I had done all I could. Now all that was left was to defend my legacy. It was noon.

I closed my eyes, there was no chime, but I felt the echo in my bones regardless, one…two…three…deep breath…five…six…exhale…slowly…nine…I opened them…ten…I felt like I was being stretched in so many different directions. My muscles screamed at me in agony in being pulled in ways that were not natural.

Next thing I knew I was in the middle of an amphitheater. All around me were the Lords and Ladies of Olympus, various other Gods, and Goddess. I could see the cameras broadcasting this live to all corners of the west. My fifteen minutes of fame had arrived, here is hoping I last fifteen minutes.

Showtime…I took a breath and said the last word of the spell. Fireworks of all color began to wiz out from around me. As if I was creating them out of thin air, I could feel them pass me by the heat, the bright lights that left spots in my eyes. Should have worn my sunglasses would have looked cooler and not been blinded. Lady Hestia stood at the opposite end unmoving in her eight-year-old form. She did not even flinch as some of the rockets whizzed by her face ruffling her hair. She just looked at me with a neutral face.

A minute later the rockets stopped, and I prepared the second spell. I said it and watched as the world around us turned white. This time Lady Hestia tried to intervene. She had strength but not in here not as she could have. In the end, I could tell my Virtual Reality was melting. I needed the soul of the virtual reality quick. I pulled it out of the ground and began manipulating it. First thing I did damper her powers. I could feel her flinch as she was cut off from her domain. The second thing I did was recreate Olympus from my perspective. The burning temples, the dead bodies of satyrs, nymphs, and an occasional demigod all clustered around the throne room, the seats of power vacant as the chairs had been slashed to pieces bar a few that were missing. To the far left in the corner was the hearth burning sluggishly.

The best thing was that only Lady Hestia was affected, I was fine. The spectators were non-entities and therefore not to be harmed.

I turned to Lady Hestia having completed my initial task.

"Like what I have done with the place Lady Hestia."

"What have you done? I am not connected to the hearth! You need to change that quick!"

"Why?" I could hear and see the panic coming from her. She must really be worried. Let's see where this goes, shall we?

"Why….the hearth is the heart of Olympus the West, without it the West will face…quickly you need to end this."

At her statement, I could hear murmurs of surprise and worry from the crowd around us. No doubt, they didn't expect a mere demigod to be able to cut off a Goddess from her domain so easily.

I raised an eyebrow, "are you surrendering Lady Hestia?"

She gave me a wounded look and opened her mouth to respond when as if listening to an unheard voice cocked her head.

A moment later, she gave me an indescribable look, "This wouldn't be what Lady Darshana or Lady Alejandra would want."

I gave a start, my placid smirk turning into a face of astonishment, "how do you?... Fine…."

I fiddled with the soul letting just a crack of power into her so that she was once again connected.

"Better Lady Hestia?"

She just glared at me in return.

I smirked and fiddled with the soul again. I had no interest in fighting her. However, I was very keen to witness to what extent she would fight to preserve the hearth.

I dumped a bucket of water onto the fire and watched it smolder. I saw Lady Hestia flinch as if struck violently and gave a wide smirk. Baring my teeth in defiance of her and of her failings in the present and past.

"Now that I have your attention let us see what you will do against an enemy who united your family and whom without which would not have led to the creation of Olympus."

I twitched and from behind me came Lord Kronos scythe and all. He was wearing a smart business suit. Nothing pinstriped like Lord Zeus but something classy, white button-down shirt, black pants, belt, socks, and shoes, with a pinstriped yellow and black tie to complete the touch.

He adjusted his tie with his right hand while carrying his scythe over his left shoulder while walking towards his daughter.

"Hello daughter, it has been a long time hasn't it?"

It was amusing to see the shocked face Lady Hestia was sporting and then watching it disappear as she regained control over her emotions. "Father."

It was even more amusing to hear the shocked gasps of surprise from the galley around me.

He stopped once he was within her personal bubble. "What no hug, it has been ages since we last saw each other?"

"You swallowed my siblings and me and became a tyrant!"

"From whose perspective, yours, because you beat me and took my place or mine?"

"You destroyed entire cities, unleashed your brothers to cause terror and mayhem!"

"On cities that allied with you! All others were left unharmed."

"It wasn't right!"

"Do I need to dredge up some of Olympus crimes to justify a rebellion against you all? Because if destroying one's enemies and their allies makes one a tyrant than look no further than the closest mirror."

"Why are you here father," Lady Hestia asked tiredly.

"Alexander here is unsure of your commitment to defend Olympus against me and has summoned me to seize the Flame of the West from your grasp."

Her head spun towards me so fast I swore I heard her neck crack. I just looked at her blankly in return. I need not explain myself to her.

"Of course I have no desire to do so."

This time it was my turn to feel an upswelling of panic. I felt my face go a shade pale. Nevertheless, I did not do anything yet.

Lady Hestia looked at her father with a confused expression on her face. "Why not Father?"

"Because you are my favorite little girl now and always and I love you," and he cupped her face with his free right hand.

At her shocked look, he laughs, "Does not my youngest play favorites? My granddaughters Athena and Artemis are daddy's little girls no matter how they try to deny it.

I could see Lady Hestia's face burn slightly. From pride or embarrassment, I did not know. All that mattered was that Kronos was not cooperating.

My right hand reached for the orb, which was the soul container. Before I could do so though I found that I could not move. He wasn't even looking at me how?

As if sensing my confusion he responded. "Time is a funny thing, I can see the past, present, and future when I desire it but I am not allowed to tamper with it. In my arrogance, I let that advantage go when I quarreled with my children. However, you made it possible when you changed my personality. I went from power-hungry, paranoid, megalomaniac to level and calm."

Lady Hestia looked at me for an explanation. Slightly embarrassed I responded, "We only met in passing we never talked to each other. With no way to know what his personality was like I left that part blank and well…yeah"

He laughed and laughed, "you utter genius of a fool! You created me to test my daughter, and I do not intend to do so. Instead, I am going to show my daughter exactly who she is dealing with."

"What!? NO! The Fates…"

"The Fates have already intervened or did you ignore the fact that my favorite daughter mentioned one Lady Darshana? Or what about Lady Alejandra? You two got along like a house on fire."

"I swear if you…"

"What…kill me, I don't even exist, not really. In fact, I doubt I could even hurt you. But I can tell Olympus things you would rather not come out."

I looked around and noticed confusion on the faces of everyone outside of the alternate world. In fact, the barrier itself was opaque. Like the windows of a car. I didn't do that, then how did…the Fates, they did this. In fact, I would bet good money that they coopted my plan against Lady Hestia and ensured that only she knew what was going on. If that was so then what were the outsiders looking at?

I turned my head back to the main event.

I saw Lady Hestia give an inquisitive look, he elaborated. "This pocket dimension is one that he controls, and as such he can control who can hurt who. He essentially stacked the deck from the very beginning. Very cunning…I approve, as my granddaughter would no doubt as well. He looked at Athena who stared blankly at us. Was she not able to hear him? After all, while a compliment it was a compliment from the man who attempted to swallow her father. Nothing, well that confirms my suspicion, the Fates were at work here.

In fact, nobody seemed to be reacting to the presence of Lord Kronos, wow!

In fact, Lord Kronos seemed to be ignoring them as well. As though as if they were beneath his attention. Well to them I guess they would be. He was an evil overlord. All he did was to wave his hand, and I watched as a mirror came into being. A movie screen sized mirror big enough for all to look at. Well just Lady Hestia and myself, but the point remains it could be for everyone. I tried to wiggle…well any muscle and was unable to do so. I decided to call for my 'Book' and could not. All I could do was watch as the blank screen went black and then white as I could see an event in my life being shown for Hestia to see.

I knew exactly what was being shown. It was my first meeting with a Divine Being, a Goddess, not just any Goddess but the one Goddess who could prevent us from starving. I was talking about Lady Demeter. Of course, what was being shown was nothing more than the first meeting between us. Nothing was made mention of the hardship that I endured to get there. The anxiety and terror I felt as I wondered if I would even have the funds to make is to Kansas from Texas after traveling from Virginia. I mean I am talking about a minimum of six days of travel, food, shelter, gas, etc….my mind wandered to the events leading up to the meeting.

Like I had suspected I had been relieved of my Park Guide position at Colonial National Historical Park. The park could do nothing to keep me. Platitudes were offered for potential employment next year, and I had my final paycheck as well as one more paycheck afterward to look forward to. Being given four hours of paid leave every month is a boon plus the money for the five days of annual leave I didn't use I was looking at another full paycheck. It didn't help me now, but there was nothing to be done about that…

I had other concerns to deal with. Shortly after the discovery of the 'Book,' I had noticed strange creatures. Woman with the upper body of woman lower body of serpent, Cyclopes, and dogs that were clearly much larger than normal dogs just to name a few. If spotted by these creatures they would attack me, and I nearly died the first few times before I quickly learned how to kill them, if one counts using AOE attacks and overwhelming firepower. Well, I assume I killed them, they turned to golden dust when slain.

Their presence along with the dreaded layoff notice from Colonial had forced me to locate the nearest REI and purchase a small one-person tent, cooler, sleeping bag, compass, whistle, etc. I spent hundreds of dollars on that day. Hundreds of dollars I could not afford to. However, I knew I would have to leave the area and soon. With prices at a premium and no job, I needed to head home while I still could. Less than a week after being dismissed from Colonial, I packed my car and headed west.

The journey itself was torturous. Gas prices had skyrocketed, forty dollars for a full tank when twenty-five would suffice, and that was after waiting in line for half an hour. Hotels were booked as people fled inward. I ended up sleeping in my car with the windows down a crack if I wasn't able to find a campground to hunker down in.

Food was at a premium, the cost of urbanization had bit America hard. Not enough food was being produced in the majority of the states. Well maybe there was enough food but getting the food to the people was an entirely different matter. The seas historically were the lifeline of all major civilizations. However, with the advancement of technology the seas while still, a vital lifeline was not the only lifeline. Trains, truck, and planes were also crucial to the livelihood of a country, especially landlocked countries.

I was nearly robbed three times. Each time it was desperate people looking to look at anything of value from my car. Each time my laying on the horn of the vehicle until they fled thwarted. Made no friends from the locals but it did not matter too much.

By the time I reached Tennessee I was exhausted, my body ached from sleeping sitting up, long hours driving, coupled with financial woes had worn me down. I could only camp when I was sure that it was safe and I was unsure. I practiced notice me not spells, wards, and shields but I still did not trust my abilities.

I could not go on I just could not. I decided that I would transport the car, stuff and all to…well frankly San Marcos, TX. It was the University town of my two best friends. That was the first significant piece of magic that I had ever done. I appeared in the town of Luling, in their Buckeyes parking lot. They had really good Kolaches there. All that was left for me was to drive the half hour to San Marcos.

I spent a week there, with my two best friends, well one of them. The other had been recalled for the near indefinite future as a member of the Texas National Guard. He had been sent to Port Arthur to keep the peace. I didn't envy him. But it was better than being sent to Houston, Corpus Christi, Galveston, and Brownsville. Those towns were wreaks, well less so Houston due to the shipping channel. While he wasn't there, he was relieved to know that I was safe, and my other friend was so happy to see me and to know that I was alright. I just about cried when we played Star Wars and Game of Thrones the Board Game for the first time in months. Well without my other friend so it made for a truncated version of the game.

I could not stay though; I was a burden on him, despite me minimizing the amount of water and electricity that I used. I wanted to see my parents. I called them to let them know where I was and they were happy to hear from me and wished they could see me again. However, they did not want me in town. Anarchy was the rule, not the exception. The neighborhood was on lockdown mode with armed guards monitoring it. Neighbors who tried to avoid any issues.

Each subdivision was their own fiefdom practically. With Houston, out of the way I went to bed with a heavy heart. I had an exciting dream though. I dreamt that I was in fields of corn and wheat. I ignored it, and the dream repeated itself again the next night. In fact, it happened so many times that I finally decided to go north, to the breadbasket of America, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, and Missouri. Where exactly I was to go, I did not know. All I knew that I was supposed to be heading north not southeast.

Three days later I was approaching Amarillo, the biggest town in the panhandle of Texas. After that, I was in Nebraska. My goal was to head to the capital of Lincoln. Then head on to Topeka, Kansas. I figured that it would take me another three days of traveling to reach Topeka.

I reached Topeka and well, frankly I was frazzled. I had committed myself to an endeavor with no way to know if I had succeeded.

Wandering around Topeka, it became clear that I needed to head west. How I knew that, well let us say it was a gut feeling an leave it at that. No need to mention the Hydra that burnt down a city block trying to fry me. Each time I cut off a head two more would grow back! That was a terrifying encounter; it would remain the most frightening encounter until I fought my first Titan.

I traveled westward until I saw it, well her. She was bent over tending to a field on the side of the road. No parked truck nearby, nor any work clothes on. In fact, she couldn't stand out more if she had a sign that said, stranger.

I slowed down and pulled a U-turn. I was nervous as could be, I was about to talk to a random stranger about well, anything, nothing, I don't know.

I pulled alongside and lowered the passenger side window, "afternoon," I politely called.

The woman in question looked up, and I had my breath stolen. She was beyond beautiful, black hair, brown eyes. She was gorgeous! Now my alarm bells were well and indeed ringing throughout my head. Nobody that beautiful who works out in the fields should be that beautiful and remain so.

"Hello young man, what brings you to my humble abode?"

"Would you believe me if I said you?"

"Oh really, that is rather forward of you. I assume you have an explanation?"

"I actually dreamt of this location and you for many many days. So many days that I thought I was going crazy. It wasn't until I actually began to travel west and then north that the dreams became less frequent. That and I couldn't stand being attacked by anymore Cyclopes."

She regarded me with curiosity, "A clear-sighted mortal, how fascinating. Well, you have found me, child, what do you intend to do?"

I flushed, "I do not know, I have been given no information on my purpose beyond locating you."

She gave me an amused look, "We'll let us start by me asking you, "How much do you know of Olympus?"

"The Olympians, I know that beyond the original six Olympians, the rest are children of Zeus. Well, Hestia was replaced by the Dionysus."

"Child," sharply stated my new found conversation partner, "names have power do not mention my siblings and cousins names frivolously. Especially now of all days," and she looked at the sky and surrounding area as if looking for something or someone.

"Sorry, what is going on that is making the situation worse than usual?"

"My brothers are at war with one another, they have been at war for months now. So far it is the sea that has done the most damage, with the underworld being a far second."

"Brothers…," I murmured, she didn't look like Ladies Hestia or Hera, then that meant…"

"You are correct child; I am Demeter, Goddess of Agriculture and Fertility, Sacred Law, Harvest, and the Seasons, I stared at her for a second before my mind rebooted and I hurriedly bowed my head to her, "It is an honor to meet you Lady Demeter."

"Of course it is, now let us continue the discussion in my abode. Follow the road a hundred and fifty feet in the direction you are facing. The road will be on your right."

"Yes, Milady."

Then she vanished leaving not a trace that she was even there.

I rolled up the window again and slowly continued driving the way I was going, well the direction I had chosen. One hundred and fifty feet was not a long way to travel. Sure enough, the entrance was present. I turned right onto the dirt road and watched in horrified curiosity as the entry vanished as if it was never there. Trapped; I had committed myself to an endeavor I had no knowledge of. I was starting to feel faint, my heart was pounding, my hands felt clammy. I wanted to just floor it and pretend that this never happened.

There was no turning back now, I doubt even my newfound magical abilities could aid me here. I continued along the path until I reached a wooden cabin, it looked like something one might see from the 19th century. Back when the footprint of our homes was less intrusive, and agriculture was one of the primary means of production.

The home was two stories tall; it had a windmill, barn, and grain silo. In all, it looked like your typical American homestead just old fashioned.

I pulled up in front of the house, gathered my wallet and cell phone. I then took a deep breath, opened the door and got out of the car.

Time to see what is in store for me, I thought.

My shoes caused the ground the crunch from the sole of the shoe hitting the dirt. As I walked towards the front door, my heart began to beat faster and faster.

Once I reached the front door and reached for the iron doorknocker, it swung open on its own. An invitation if there ever was one. I walked inside and immediately felt at ease. It was hard to describe, all the furniture looked as if it was handmade, the paintings were of nature, and the linens appeared to be handmade instead of factory made. All this I got from a table and painting to the left of the main door.

I wandered into the living room from the main hall and found that the furnishings were the same as the main hall, handmade.

Lady Demeter was sitting at the main table, a plate of cookies and a glass of milk in front of her. I headed towards her. When I had reached the table, I waited to be acknowledged.

"Please sit child, the journey from San Marcos is a long one; no doubt you must be tired," she gestured to the chair directly in front of her.

"My thanks, My Lady." Ignoring the fact that she knew where I had begun my journey.

I sat in the offered chair and waited."

"Would you like a cookie?"

While phrased as a question it was clear that I was to eat one.

"That would be nice Lady Demeter, thank you."

"My pleasure, now eat up."

I took one of the oatmeal cookies from the plate and carefully began to eat it. I didn't want to make a mess or show anything less than proper manner. Without a second plate though I didn't know what to do. I did not want to get my crumbs on the platter of cookies.

In the end, I just kept eating. Once I was finished, I reached for the glass of milk and was pleased to see that it was chilled. Like it had just been taken out of the refrigerator.

Once I had finished half of the glass of milk, I set it down. I looked around for a napkin, a milk mustache is only funny for the first five seconds then it becomes an embarrassment.

She smirked at me, and a napkin appeared to my right.

I gave her a smile in gratitude and wiped my mouth and then hands.

"So, you know only bare basics of what I am and what my siblings represent is that correct."

"Yes My Lady, that is correct."

"Then let me give you the shorthand version. Western civilization despite being monotheistic for the past sixteen seventeen hundred years has followed the ideals created by Olympus. Greece and later Rome created Western Civilization with our helping hand, and no matter how much Christianity tried to do away with us we are more than just Gods sitting on our thrones. We are weaker without the constant worship of our believers, but the continuation of the ideals of the West is what keeps us going. We do have demigod children, part mortal part divine. They do our bidding and worship us giving us more substance. Their mortal enemies are the monsters of old, Empousa, Cyclopes, hellhounds, hydras, and so forth. However, at the end of World War II, a prophecy was given. That a child of the three eldest gods would be forced to choose whether to preserve or destroy Olympus. As a result, my youngest brother forced his brothers into swearing an oath not to have any more children. That oath on the River Styx held for forty years before my youngest sibling broke his oath. My next youngest brother broke his oath, and that is where the trouble began. The reveal of the seas child coincided with the theft of my brothers Master Bolt, his symbol of power. Paranoid that this was a power play by the seas he demanded that my younger brother return his weapon bolt or face war."

She took a moment to collect her thoughts before continuing once again.

"This demigod child had to my knowledge no information on Olympus and no training on how to survive as a demigod. Despite this, he was sent on a quest to retrieve the Master Bolt. He was unable to retrieve the weapon by the summer solstice and thus returned empty-handed. My brother vaporized him starting the war. Believing that his eldest brother was in on the plot against him, he also declared war against him as well. That is why the west is in such a dire strait."

"If that is so, then why is it only the US and Canada being targeted? Europe is as much part of the west as North America is."

"The Flame of the West, the soul of Western Ideology moves to the nation that best represents us. First, it was Greece, then Roman and so forth. In previous centuries that was Great Britain. However, at the end of World War II, the flame moved to America. As America is the center of the West that is where Olympus is located, the benefits are that a great deal of advancement takes place in the host nation. The negative is that if anything goes wrong, said country is the one that takes the most damage."

"So the three eldest brothers of Kr," at her sharp look I amended myself. "I mean Titan of Time, are at war. What can I do to stop the bleeding? To stop the war if it is even possible."

She threw her head back and laughed and laughed. It was a glorious sound, it decided right then and there that I would need to ensure that she laughed more often. "At this point child, there is nothing that can be done. In the future," she gave a shrug of her shoulders, "unknown. However, as a clear-sighted mortal, you can act on our behalf if you so choose."

I looked down; did I want to act on Olympus's behalf? I mean it was clear that I was summoned to do something. Why else would I be receiving those dreams? Why else would they stop once I began my journey? I was supposed to help…right? Lord Kronos waved his hand once more, and the scene went dark before going back to normal.

"So dearest daughter, what did you learn?"

She didn't reply, "Come now this isn't the LSAT or ACT."

Still, no response came, Lord Kronos just sighed, "Very well onto the next scene."

The screen went black, and you could hear thunder before the ruins of a sprawling city were displayed. I could hear a gasp of pain; no doubt Lady Athena recognized the city being was being shown right? How she saw it I did not know, after all, she wasn't able to see Upon closer examination if you knew where to look you would see the Acropolis. This was Athens, capital of Greece, and one of the crown jewels of the ancient west and named in honor of their patron Lady Athena. Less than twelve hours ago a category ten earthquake on the Richter Magnitude Scale had hit the city, the devastation of the earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that leveled what was left of the city.

The city that was a beacon for democracy and knowledge and learning was gone. Its replacement would never really be the same. I was looking at the city from high above on one of the nearby mountains. Mount Hymettus I believe it was called. However, I did not plan to stay there for long.

My objective was inside the city, at the Acropolis, at the Parthenon. Once a place of bustle, where worshipers and their priests interacted, it had later become a tourist attraction from mortals who had forgotten the power the Gods and their legacies. Now, now I suspect that the tourist industry here will be frozen for a good few years.

I disappeared and appeared at the base of the Acropolis using the Beam Me Up Scotty Spell. Built on top of a large hill I took a moment to look around first. Not at the Acropolis but the surrounding city. I could see the locals searching the rubble for their loved ones, for personal items, for a sense of normalcy. I couldn't help but feel sorry for the people of this proud city. In the old days, it would be clear who was to blame. Only one man had such control over the seas and earthquakes to cause this. This was the work of the Lord of the Seas, the master of the Trident, ruler of the seven seas. This was caused by a man who apparently held a grudge against her patron and was willing to generate a lot of collateral damage to get back at her.

Nowadays though the answer would be a shift in plate tectonics. Neither answer provided a measure of comfort beyond knowing that there was nothing you could do to save the city.

The walk to the top took me a while, yes I could have beamed me up, but I was trying to conserve energy. Besides I had a feeling that the time spent walking would be safer for me. Once I reached the top, I could see the complex of buildings in ruins. According to reports, the Earthquake is what did the most damage, not the tsunami.

Near the Parthenon, I could see a woman standing alone. I walked over to her. Not at a fast pace, but at a slow leisurely gate, one that allowed me to enjoy the area despite the devastation incurred. Besides Lady Athena, no doubt would appreciate the privacy. Not that she would say anything though. That would require her to acknowledge her weakness right now.

Eventually, though, there was only so much that I could explore before meeting up with Lady Athena. I caught her deep in thought, or in such a state of shock she appeared to be placid. I looked at her feet. A pinkish white conch shell perfect in every way was just lying there. I knew who was behind this, it had to be 'him' or by approval of one of his agents. The fact that such a clear sign was sitting in front of her was proof of that.

I picked it up and held the open-ended part to my ear. Ignoring the angry look sent my way by Lady Athena. I could hear the sounds of the surf, of the ocean. I could not help but give a small smile. I did enjoy the sounds of the sea. The crashing of the waves, the spray from the surf, the cry of the gulls, in a limited amount, and of course the sand between one's toes.

Apparently, I held it too long to my ear because next thing I knew it was in Lady Athena's hands being crushed into many many fragments.

"Well, that's a shame."

"My city is gone, my greatest Temple wiped from the face of the earth, and all you care about is some dime a dozen shell!?"

Her face had gone golden from rage, yes, she was mad. It didn't help me that she was more angry at the seas and that I made a convenient target.

I sighed and put my hands into my pockets and looked away and up. I wasn't afraid of her…yet. I had grown used to godly temper tantrums. "It was to be expected, I mean you made no secret of your feud with the sea." I turned in the direction where I knew the sea would be. "There is a reason that Athens worshiped your rival the second most beyond the fact that they didn't want to offend him for choosing you."

"That Kelp for Brains is going to pay for this!"

"Unlikely."

"Why… is that?" She hissed at me through gritted teeth.

I could hear her teeth grinding by that point even if I couldn't see her. "We need him, so punishing Poseidon for this is out of the question."

"He destroys one of the West's earliest centers of knowledge, kills at least a third of the city, destroys my greatest temple, and you want to recruit him?!"

"We need him."

"We do not! We need my father."

"Your father proved his leadership ability and strategy skills by not only declaring war on the Seas but the Underworld as well. What did he expect to do, bury them in paperwork? He was either high on power or took leave of his senses. They are his most powerful bannermen."

"He is the rightful ruler of Olympus. He defeated his father united his siblings and cast down the Titans!"

"Yet the Titans are back, his siblings are scattered, his children are largely missing, and what demigod children he has left, if at all due to the prophecy, while strong in their father's domain lack the punch to take down either one of his brothers alone. Your brother has doomed Olympus."

"Your dislike for him is ill-placed."

"I am mortal, your father has to prove to each generation why he worthy of their worship, of being their ruler. He has forgotten that. Thus in his arrogance, his paranoia he set in motion the very events that have led us to this very moment. "

"My Uncles did that not him."

"Are you not the Goddess of Wisdom? Your father was in a position of power. He chose to send an untested demigod after his symbol of power. He chose to make it a war or peace scenario. No your hubris and love of your father blind you. Break free of those shackles and be objective."

…

I could feel the anger radiating off her. "There is nothing more we can do, let us retire and plan our next move."

"Yes, Owl Head go home and let the mortal do the planning."

We both turned swiftly to face the unknown speaker. It was a man, a God, with a royal bearing. Sea Green eyes, jet-black hair, a perfectly sculpted face that had laugh lines added on. He was sporting armor that was part turquoise, part golden, part pearl? Odd combination for armor decoration but if it works it works. Most importantly, he was wielding a trident.

This was the Lord of the Seas, Storms, Horses, Thunder, and Earthquakes. This was Lord Poseidon, and he had the smuggest smile on his face. As if he had done something that had him all tingly inside…well he had, he did just destroy Athens.

I bowed my head, "Lord Poseidon, you honor us with your presence."

He gave me a look that was as dark as it was amused. "Do I now," he focused on Lady Athena, "are you honored by my presence child? Does your large forehead remember the proper etiquette for such occasions?"

I could see and hear her teeth grinding…again, "what are you doing here Kelp for Brains? Haven't you done enough already?"

"Tut tut, that is not the proper response. Clearly, you have spent too much time kissing your fathers ass and not enough time in the book stacks. No matter, pointing out your obvious failures is not why I am here."

Athena's armor appeared and on her left arm was the famed Aegis, and in her right arm was her favored spear.

"Now that clearly isn't the proper response. Clearly, Zeus has done a poor job of raising you."

I could feel the hatred radiating off Lady Athena. Her rival was provoking her, and she was falling for it, hook, line, and sinker.

She didn't make the first move though, she at least hadn't lost all of her senses.

I kept my eye on Lord Poseidon before making me move, "Lady Athena, let us retire, I have this wonderful Dutch Oven recipe that we can make. I'd appreciate your critique of it."

"Yes Thea Baby, go home and be the housekeeper."

"Don't respond," I swiftly responded, "This isn't the time or place for a fight."

"Child," his cruel gaze zeroing in on me, "this does not concern you."

I bowed my head in submission; there was nothing more I could do. Either we would leave or we would not.

Next thing I knew there was a terrifically loud bang as their weapons clashed. I could feel the energy as it flew by me. They traded less than half a dozen blows before the endgame was reached. Lord Poseidon created a block of ice that struck Lady Athena in the back forcing her off balance. Next thing she knew she had a trident in her gut and received a fist to the side of her head. Only her helmet prevented any extra damage. Though how much it could prevent a God from injuring her I did not know.

What I did know was that she took another half a dozen punches before being subjected to the ultimate humiliation in my opinion. While she was still reeling from the beating, she had taken Lord Poseidon had enveloped her in a hug so tight that she could not use her hands or arms and then kissed her. Like full on make out kiss, it lasted only a second or two before he released her with another fist to the kisser sending her onto her butt before vanishing in a spray of saltwater and cruel dark laughter.

Alone again it fell to me to pick up the pieces.

I retrieved some Ambrosia and Nectar from my mini pocket space and offered them to her. I did not say a word. I knew enough to do that. She took them automatically, and I charged up the Beam Me up Scotty Spell, time to leave this place. I didn't even ask if she wanted to go I just up and took her with me.

The last thing I saw was the Conch shell that had been mysteriously fixed, three guesses who could have been responsible.

Next thing that I knew we were at the British Museum in London. Before anyone could prevent me, I moved onto my next stop, which was the moon. I wanted to throw off anybody following me, and if you were Greek, then the moon is nothing more than a chariot, therefore, an odd place to hide in. Consequently, the perfect place to hide for an individual like me who isn't Greek.

I couldn't stay long, well I could but Athena could not she needed to stay in the West, and I didn't want to answer any questions as to why she felt so weak while on the moon.

My final stop was the Resistance camp. It was a camp of at least three dozen….fine there were thirty-five individuals, nineteen satyrs, myself, Lady Athena, Lady Demeter, Lady Hestia, and twelve other demigods. I wasn't the eldest demigod; however, I was a senior member of the group. Not sure how that happened, but it probably had something to do with the fact that I gathered them together. That and I had managed to create their American aspects, which they saw as divine. Hard to believe that it had been one year since I had been pulled into this mess. Ten and ¾ months since I met Lady Demeter, eight months since I led the rescue of Lady Athena, and only a week since the fall of Olympus. It has been a roller coaster of disappointment, agony, and terror.

To be fair, there were some beautiful times as well. Lady Demeter or Deshara would be hurt if I did not consider our time together as anything less than heavenly after all. We paired up around five months in. Well, she came to me and wooed me to bed as Lady Deshara.

I half carried half-dragged Lady Athena to the medical tent. The on-duty guard spotted me and called for backup. Given how small the camp was by the end of the day everyone would know what had happened. But I would be damned if I let them know about the kiss. That was staying out of my debriefing report.

The screen went black again, and this time, I could feel the amusement and horror being directed towards the screen. It was hard to tell was the sea amused by the kiss or not? Was the electricity in the air from the events or from Lord Zeus furious over the defilement of his favored daughter?

"So daughter, any insightful comments that you care to divulge?"

Lady Hestia just looked at her father blankly, not a muscles twitching.

"Very well, how about some of my impressions," and he looked at me while smirking. I so wanted to wipe that smile off his smug face. However, his control over time was too strong. "I see a man who is so comfortable being in the presence of the Gods that he has no problem treating them us as equals. He prizes competency both in himself and in others and has no use for a leader who lets emotion get the better of him. He is also kind-hearted and easy to wound if one knows how to do it. There is more to him of course, but isn't that true of everyone? So onto the Grand Finale shall we?"

The bastard waved his hand, and this time I could see the camp that the resistance called home. It was on fire. We had been blindsided by the Titans, our guards were either dead or still fighting. I could see Ladies Alejandra and Darshana fighting up against Iapetus, Kois, Krios, Atlas, and a host of other Titans and their allies the minor Gods and Goddess that had betrayed us. While powerful, I had created them that way, Alejandra and Darshana were losing ground and being forced away from the camp and into the surrounding woods. Hopefully, Lord Hades would arrive soon, he would be able to turn the tide.

While they would be fine, it was everyone else that would be in trouble. After all, our endurance was less than theirs, and thus mistakes would be made far sooner by us.

The camp itself was littered with the dead and dying. We had almost three dozen members of the resistance. I noticed at least fifteen members deceased and at least half as many wounded. The Titans were winning, and we needed to regroup and then retreat.

I pulled out my sword and engaged the nearest hellhound with a sword that glowed a brilliant silvery white hue, and gave a quick slash to the hind legs sending it crashing to the ground. It whirled/writhed around to face me, and I could see its hell red eyes, its massive jaws full of sharp teeth ready to lunge. However, I didn't give it a chance to attack and killed it with a sweeping uppercut of my lightsaber-like sword. The, not a lightsaber, biting deep into the hound's throat forcing its body back through the force of my attack. The hound convulsed once and disappeared into golden dust.

I didn't have time to think I had attracted the attention of another six enemies, one of which was a dracaena. Five seconds later I was dodging and weaving, blocking and thrusting. My only chance of living to not be surrounded and to always have an escape. The problem was I was being injured, some of them severe. I received a slash to my left shoulder, a deep cut to my right side. I nearly lost an eye to a talon and was now being crippled with blood dripping into my eye.

Being forced into the fight before I was ready meant that I lacked the amount of armor that I would usually have worn. I had my Corinthian style helmet on, wrist guards and sword belt and nothing else. No breastplate, no leggings, and certainly no shin guards, I was a definite disadvantage.

With no shield, little armor, my life expectancy was shortening by the second. Add in my injuries, and I was sure I would die; I needed to locate my allies quickly. I looked for the nearest opening I could find. It was near impossible; my opponents had boxed me in. Even if I escaped, the first one there was the second one.

I readied a spell it was time to bring out the heavy guns. I said the word, and a ray of energy hit the dracaena and ripped off huge chunks of his body. He was out. I lite an empousa on fire and heard her scream in pain. I was too busy to watch her die. I made a hellhound explode. It wasn't elegant but it worked, and that was all that mattered.

Moving to the fourth opponent, I was ready to stab it when I felt a crippling pain from my left side once again. I had been attacked by my fifth opponent and second hellhound and had forgotten where he was. A critical misstep that would cost me my life.

I let out a scream as I felt bones break and muscles tear, and screamed even louder as I moved my sword in an arc to sunder my attacker. I killed him but knew that I was out of the fight. I could barely walk without being in crippling pain, and I was noticeably slower. The third hellhound and the second empousa knowing the end were near moved in for the kill.

Before it could come, I heard the twang of a bow. The hellhound burst into golden dust. The empousa followed suit a second later, with the dracaena being killed by the two of us. Well more my savior than I, all I did was contribute some magic. My savior was one Eric Smith, a son of Apollo, and our chief healer. For him to be out on the front lines meant that the situation was dire.

Once the enemies were dead, he ran over the bow in hand and steadied me for I no doubt looked ready to keel over at any given moment. "Alexander, let me help you. Here, is some ambrosia, chew quickly."

The ambrosia didn't close the wounds, but the internal injuries were stopped. I would not die right away, but I was still in critical condition.

"I know you need more, but we need to ration what little we have."

"Over half of our group is dead, now isn't the time to be too stingy."

He grimaced but didn't refute my statement and handed over another two cubes of ambrosia. I ate both cubes right away and felt my body repair itself. I never really got used to feeling my bones heal, muscles repair, and other injuries vanish. In the end, I didn't have to get used to it, I just needed to go with the flow.

No longer about to die, I tried to stand upright instead of staying in my collapsed state. Only being held up by the weight and strength of Eric.

I turned to face him, face pale from blood loss but grim nonetheless. "We need to leave, how many can make it to the rally point?"

"A handful, more if we intervene. Is this a retreat?"

"A tactical withdrawal, fighting now wins us nothing but suffering. It is better to live to fight another day."

"Understood, will you need help reaching the rally point?"

"No go help the others; I will just slow you down."

He hesitated, and so I gave him a ribbon. "Here, just like I told you long ago. While at the rally point say the word and my spell will whisk you and our comrades to safety."

"Thanks," he murmured and then ran off, knocking an arrow as he went.

Alone again I hobbled back to my tent, muscles screaming in pain. Clearly, I needed more ambrosia or nectar. However, I needed to collect my things for the evacuation. I know it was better to run but I at least needed to obtain my most valuable items.

I gingerly made it to my tent said the spell to pack my things. I didn't want to lose anything. When I stepped out again a minute later I was fully packed, and once outside my tent folded up due to a spell of mine, and I bent down to put it into a pocket dimension accessible only to me. I refrained from putting on the rest of my armor though, there wasn't enough time. I was really tempted though, I worried about who I would face on the way to the rally point.

With no reason to hang around I set off as fast as I could to the rally point. The battle was still going strong, but I could tell that it was beginning to taper off. With the majority of us dead after all going full tilt was overkill.

I moved towards the rally point, fighting in my condition would not be smart. Besides, I had decided that taking the time to armor up would be time I could ill afford. We were evacuating, packing my stuff took more time than I would have liked.

I began the ten-minute walk to the rally point. I passed the bodies of the dead. Their eyes devoid of any emotion that would have been a sign that there was life within them. Instead, all I saw were empty husks of comrades.

I saw piles of golden dust; I couldn't help but wonder if some of them were the satyrs that aided us. As 'monster' they had no soul and became golden dust once killed.

I resisted the urge to weep bitter tears, I would mourn later, right now I needed to get to safety. The rally point was a large clearing ten minutes beyond the camp. One just had to walk due southeast, and you would reach it eventually. The biggest problem was that it was nighttime and our vision sucked at nighttime. Our enemies could see in the dark yet we could not. That meant that we would be in a world of hurt. We would need a rear guard, which would inevitably lead to more deaths. Deaths the resistance could absolutely not afford.

Of course, I was not in command; I was just one more piece acting alone. Did we have a rear guard I had no idea only the Fates knew at this point.

I feared this was the end of the resistance, at this point in the game only Lord Poseidon could save us, but the price he would ask for would be high, perhaps too high.

I encountered a few enemies, but with liberal use of magic, I killed them. I saved two of the remaining Satyrs from death by way of empousa. Then aided in carrying a dying daughter of Tyche to the rally point, perhaps her Mother's luck would stay the Fates hands?

When I reached the rally point having past all the carnage, burning tents, and piles of golden dust I noticed to my dismay just how few in number we were. There were nineteen satyrs, fifteen demigods, myself, and Ladies Darshana, Alejandra and Hestia at the height of the Resistance. Now we had four satyrs, and five demigods, not including myself.

We could begin again, but it would be slow going. I shook my head that was a conversation for another time.

When Eric saw me and the dying demigod he immediately came to our aid, well hers. I was okay for the moment she needed the help like now.

Turns out I was wrong; two minutes of examination and Eric knew that she was going to die I could see it in his face. Her luck had finally run out. Alaina who always seemed to have an ace up her sleeve when playing cards, which always happened to be in the right place at the right time to make the kill. She was dead, and I hadn't even bothered to remember her name until Eric said it first. I felt a twinge of shame well up inside me. She deserved better.

There was a loud rustling sound from the bushes. Eric abandoned his ministrations of the girl's body to draw his bow.

Good thing he did it was a hellhound, which was quickly taken out.

"How much longer do we wait I asked?"

"As long as we can," answered Eric.

I nodded; any other answer would mean potentially leaving our still fighting comrades to the tender mercy of the Titans and their allies. A prospect we all feared.

Eventually, though we would have to leave. I knew that Eric knew that, it was only a matter of time.

I felt sick to my stomach just about the thought of leaving them, but what other choice did we have. The enemy had won, we were reduced in strength to the point that I did not know if we had enough strength to muster more than one more campaign. I mean battle; any prolonged campaign was out of the question.

The screen faded black again, and I while I listened to the murmurs of the crowd wondering what was going on no doubt. I honestly hated Kronos at this time. I wanted nothing more than to bash his head in.

"So dearest daughter what did you learn?"

She didn't answer, as usual.

"Really daughter you need to get out more and go to school. Whoever taught you needs to be punished, they clearly didn't prize people asking questions."

Still, no response and he gave a loud sigh in return.

"What we have learned about him was that he was potentially a senior member of a resistance group moving against me. Combine that with what we learned earlier, and you paint a picture of an individual committed to the restoration and or preservation of the west. Who in pursuit of his goals tracked down various Powers that Be and in doing so treated them like he would want to be treated himself, an equal. He is buckling under the weight of so much pressure yet is committed to seeing the project through for the sake of the west.

"Do you agree with my assessment Hestia?"

"I do Father."

"Excellent," and he clapped his hands in glee. What for I really wasn't sure, it wasn't that big of a deal that Hestia responded.

"Now the million drachma question, "knowing what you do know what will you do? Will you aid him, will you become his enemy, or will you step aside and let him go about his business giving neither aid nor hindrance?"

Not waiting for a response Lord Kronos stepped back, waved his hand releasing me. I fell to the ground hard, all my muscles screaming at being locked in place for an extended period.

With his purpose apparently being fulfilled, Kronos faded from sight, and I could tell that the Fates presence had vanished as I could tell that the onlookers were wondering what was going on... I glanced away I didn't want to see what the audience was doing though I could hear agitated and loud discussion… I could feel my face burning. But I couldn't tell if it was from horror, shame, anger, and fear. I clenched my hands into fists. My eyes filling with tears. Why should I feel ashamed I did what was necessary. I did nothing that I should be ashamed of. Yes, I could have saved more lives, but only at the cost of even greater loses.

Lady Hestia took a step towards me, and I took a step back. She cocked her he sideways for a second, then began to walk towards me.

I pulled out my sword, the not a lightsaber glowing sword, not my falcate sword, I left that one behind so to speak, and put it in the ready position. Lady Hestia halted when she saw the sword. I could see indecision well up within her. Did she attack or did she hold her position?

I decided to take the decision out of her and launched my own attack. I teleported ten feet behind her and hit her with a bolt of energy sending her flying forward. No doubt, the surprise factor was just as bad as the hit itself.

Though given the dismayed murmurs from those around me they were more upset than she was. What was it about her that made all the other Gods and Goddess so partial to her? Why defend an individual who at the slightest hint of violence would betray her charge?

I watched her get to her feet slowly, the back of her robe smoldering from the heat of the attack.

"Stand and fight or will you run away abandoning your charge like you did before?"

She turned her head and gave me a wounded look. "That didn't work last time, and it won't work this time. If you don't fight, then you will be run over." I loosed another bolt and watched as it sailed past her harmlessly. For she had dived to her left to get out of the way. I loosed the third bolt and observed at it collided with her sending her rolling.

"You're getting pretty beat up; frankly if this were either Lady Alejandra or Lady Darshana I would be fighting for my life and not acting like I was going on an evening stroll. What is it going to take to convince you that you need to fight?"

I didn't get an answer at first, then when I least expected it, "why?"

"Why what Lady Hestia?"

"Why do this?"

"Do you mean why challenge you? If so the answer is clear," I sheathed my sword, and I crossed my arms as I looked at her gingerly getting to her feet. "Since I do not have to explain the background as your ass of a father has already explained the situation I'll elaborate just a bit. Your youngest brother due to his arrogance kicked off World War III and lost not only the war but his position as King of Olympus."

I paused when I heard the murmurs as if they did not already know, but I turned my back on my opponent in a calculated insult. Saying in action if not words that she was no threat to me, that earned me even more whispers. I surveyed the crowd looking for Lord Zeus. I found him and looked at him. His face was part stony part anger. I focused on a spot just above his shoulder and continued speaking.

"His brothers were in a far stronger position than he gave them credit for and America paid the price for his ignorance. I have always wondered just how much influence Athena had in those final days. Was she in charge or was she being ignored? Either way, the seas took an early lead with a devastating attack on the Eastern and Western seaboards destroying the demigods. While the war was ongoing, Kronos was making his move. Freeing his siblings, recruiting demigods with an effective message; why fight for a Lord who is more willing to destroy you than aid you. Look around, all this devastation for what a trinket? Is that trinket worth burning the world down? When he finally revealed himself, he had in secret kidnaped at least half of the Council and shortly afterward captured another third. My job was to scrape up what I could and form a resistance, which I did. You were among those that I found. Except your aid to the group was minimal, you didn't help in the evacuation of Olympus and the removal of the thrones. You certainly didn't help protect the hearth during the surprise attack. You let the enemy seize the Flame of the West. Yet somehow, Alejandra and Darshana did not blame you. They defended you from my verbal tirade."

I turned my head to face her. "So now in a scenario where nothing is at risk, well significant things are not at risk. I wanted to test you, to figure out who you are and what lengths you are willing to go to protect those that you care for."

I could hear a deafening silence, yet I press onwards. I vanished again and this time attacked with my sword. She received a cut on her left side, my right, her left arm which she raised too late to protect herself from my first attack. I then finished it by burying the sword in her gut.

Screams were heard from the peanut gallery as all of Olympus watched as the Goddess of the Hearth began to bleed out.

I yanked the sword out and watch her fall to her knees, hands clutching her wound desperately trying to staunch the bleeding. I wanted to feel pity for her, and I did, just not enough to stop. I placed my sword point on her throat. Do you surrender or do I send you to Tartarus?

I could hear the pain in her voice, "Child your anger is misplaced I have done you no wrong."

I opened my mouth, and then shut it… she made a good point. It wasn't exactly fair to blame a person for something they had not done yet. "You are right you have done me no wrong…yet, but your acceptance of my challenge meant that this was a genuine possibility. After all, this is my life on the line. If you did not want to get hurt than, you should have said no. Your ignorance regarding my aggressive actions allowed me to one-up you. I mean really can you imagine Lady Athena making your mistake. I think not, she would have attacked immediately, and I would safely give myself between five, and ten percent chance of surviving and one percent, rounding up, chance of actually winning."

"If you cease your attack I will convince my brother to be lenient."

I could not help but laugh, "you really, what kind of influence do you have that you can convince the God with a fatal flaw of pride and or arrogance to waive the flag?"

I heard a loud boom of thunder, the king of the peanut gallery apparently didn't like my comment. What a surprise.

"You will just have to trust my child. Already they plan to kill you regardless of the outcome."

"Then I die knowing I've done the bare minimum at least."

"Are you that ready to die young Guliani?"

"Why the hell would you ask me that, of course not!"

"Then why give in?"

"Because Olympians cruelty is legendary, the barest misstep merits harsh punishment. Even now, Midas suffers in Tartarus for his crimes. Yet it is his daughter, his innocent daughter that suffers the most. She is trapped as a gold statue for all eternity praying if she could, for salvation that will never come because Olympus makes sure that she will never be saved."

"There is much bitterness within you child."

"Fixing your screw-ups, doing the right thing in spite of your interference, cleaning up your messes hoping that it will make a difference."

"You need to let go, you are destroying yourself, Alexander."

"Would you let go of something you love even if it was hurting you inside?"

….

"I didn't think so. Now you want to make a deal. That is fine, but it will be on my terms."

She gave me a look that suggested I was insane and maybe I was. However, I was plotting it was time to take advantage of this golden opportunity and pray it wasn't fool's gold.

"To avoid me sending you to Tartarus, you will swear on the Void that you will protect your home to the fullest extent of your abilities. That you will actively work to restrain your brother's temper, pride, and arrogance. Finally should any other Olympian, Titan, or Primordial attack me directly or indirectly you will defend me to the fullest extent of your power lest you risk fading should any of the listed above conditions be broken."

There was silence from all around us, but my eyes were on Lady Hestia. "You can't expect me to agree to that."

"Oh, but I do, failure to do so and Tartarus awaits. I wonder what your family would say knowing that you are in the pit?"

"Are you trying to die?"

"I am hedging my bets, ensuring that you will stop being a wallflower and that your family will stop trying to do me in."

"My family was only responding to a perceived threat."

"I'd hardly say a game went sideways makes one a threat. Now I am a threat, but only because Olympus demanded I be one. I didn't demand a Trial by Combat after all. Once this is done then their only threat will be if they stand in the way of the defense of Olympus. So long as they hold true to the Western ideology I have no problem with them."

By the end of tirade I was shouting up a storm, a shimmer of silver emanating around me. If I were calm, I would have been fascinated. Instead, I was just plain furious.

There were murmurs from the peanut gallery, but I ignored them. I focused my attention on the woman right in front of me, end game time.

I shifted the sword now covered in golden ichor and placed it at the base of her neck. "I need an answer Lady Hestia do you agree to my terms or will pride cometh before the fall?" To make my point I pressed until a trickle of ichor flowed.

"I Lady Hestia swear on the void to agree to the terms listed by Alexander Guliani, so mote it be."

There was a loud crash of thunder, and the world turned black for a second before fading back to normal.

I removed my sword, I had won, and it was a great and terrible feeling.

Lady Hestia hands still on her gut trying desperately not to bleed outraised her head and in a loud voice proclaimed, "Brother! I win; his punishment will be to aid me in the tending of the hearth." I felt a great deal of amusement from that statement but considering what I had just won from her, and by extension Olympus, I let it go.

There was a rumble of thunder; clearly, Mr. I love thunderbolts was not happy.

Lady Hestia did not say a word, she just looked at him and eventually a muted if you count the boom of thunder muted was heard followed by a sullen, "Fine," is heard.

I fiddle with the soul, and there is a loud hissing sound as a pool of mud bubbles up from the ground. It rapidly overtakes Lady Hestia who didn't move an inch. As it passed over her body, steam erupted. When it touched the gut wound I could see, Lady Hestia gasp. Maybe in pain, possibly in shock as her injuries vanished like they never existed. The mud stopped once it reached her neck. Leaving the few burns on her face to be healed with ambrosia or nectar.

I fiddled with the soul, and the mud vanished as if it was never there like the mud hadn't just defied the laws of gravity and held a shape without a container to form the borders.

Once she was healed, I canceled the dimensional spell exposing myself to the fury of Olympus once more.

I could tell that the eyes of Olympus were upon us, well me and they weren't showing adoration. In the end, though their anger at me wasn't my problem right this moment. My question was that I now had a warden, benefactor, and maybe a mentor. Something I really didn't want to have least of all from a wallflower Goddess.

I looked towards Lord Zeus and bowed in his direction. As King of Olympus, it was his duty to end the Trial by Combat.

He glared at me, and ground out, "The winner of this trial is Hestia. As the loser of the trial Alexander Guliani is to help my sister Lady Hestia in the tending of the hearth until such time as he is discharged from his duties.

He then struck his Master Bolt onto the ground creating a loud boom and vanishing in a flash of light. An event followed by many of the other Olympians. The rest just stared at me in confusion, fear, anger, or any combination of the above.

Feeling a great deal of amusement at my apparent tactical victory and strategic loss, I ignored them and turned to face my new Master.

"Where to now Lady Hestia?"

"My Temple, it is time fill in the gaps in your divine education.

Next thing I know I was enveloped by flames leaving everyone else behind in the arena. Once I could see where I was and it was clear that I was alone. Alone with only my warden, benefactor, and mentor to guide me, what could go wrong?

The temple and I were taking a leap of faith that I was in her temple was an unassuming one… By Olympian standards at least. There were no frivolous decorations. This was a home, not a Temple it was that simple. The decorations were of a variety of woods and wooden embellishments. Such as wooden paneling, sculptures, paintings, etc. I didn't recognize any of them. Though I could tell in some instances that there was apparently some Greco influence in them. Considering where I was and who the owner was that was of no surprise.

There was a flame in every room; some fires bigger than the others. However, what really stood out was the layout. The very center of the Temple was a giant cauldron of flames, a bigger version of the Flames of the West? Or was this the Flame of the West? Surrounding the container was comfy looking chairs and sofas. Beyond that were various rooms, well I assume they were rooms I could see large doorways with equally large doors…it was impressive, to say the least. Lady Hestia had moved towards the center cauldron.

All she did was grip the edge and take a poker out from…nothing, how…oh right Goddess. She can do what she wants.

Not looking at me, she began to speak. "It is clear that you have little knowledge of the divine world, our world, now your world. Normally that would be rectified by going to Camp Half-Blood. In your case though, you are advancing your interests with only the barest of knowledge in Olympian affairs. That needs to stop. Either you put all your plans on hold, or you accept my help so that you do not get executed by my siblings."

I opened my mouth to speak and found myself facing the placid expression of a Goddess that was not angry but clearly annoyed with me. Usually, I wouldn't care, I had faced worst after all. But something about her being annoyed with me made me shiver. Like I wanted to do whatever it took to please her. I didn't like the feeling it wasn't right.

I so wanted to glare, but I had to restrain myself, so my face came out like I had bitten into a lemon.

"None of that child I haven't spoken any falsities. You have come close to dying thrice now at the hands of Olympus yet you seem not to care."

I gave one last grimace before dropping the attitude, she was right. I had come way to close to death these past few days.

I gave a loud sigh, and my chest heaved, "You are right Lady Hestia, please forgive my impertinence. I was out of line."

"You are forgiven child, now come stand by me, there is much to discuss."

I moved to her side. This wasn't like hanging out with Ladies Darshana and Alejandra. She was different, like home different, like my Mother different. That wasn't fair! I wasn't how was I to stay aloof when being subjected to to…to this..!

"It is true that my brother is arrogant and prideful. He is in many ways like his father but in so many more ways different. Father was power hungry, lusting after it. He destroyed cities that allied with us. I know its war, but we are Gods they didn't have to all die. Killing the leaders would have been enough. The woman and children didn't have to suffer for supporting us."

She took a deep breath and continued, "Father swallowed us to prevent a scenario that may not have occurred. Yes, it had been stated by prophecy that one day he would be replaced, that is normal for the mortal world. Yet for us, it is not. There is no precedent for a peaceful transaction of power. My Father seizing power from his grandfather is proof of that. Yet my brother shares power when he did not have to. Father before him was cruel, but the world didn't die. Zeus brought order, justice, and righteousness to the lands. He with his brothers divided the realm and in doing so brought stability."

She paused while thinking, "It is true that he stacked the Council with his children, he was fearful of being deposed himself. He nearly was once before. It is true that he has made mistakes; however, the West has prospered."

"Yet he still sees enemies at his gates. Paranoia has replaced trust. Arrogance and pride for wisdom."

"You are too harsh on him child he is not perfect, that is so, but then again nobody is."

"Yet as the ruler of a great land with powers incomprehensible to mortal eyes, his actions did cause the downfall of Olympus, millions of deaths, billions of dollars of damage. He destroyed a country and forced the Flame of the West to move on!" Canada it moved on to Canada of all places! I was lucky to be able to retrieve the chairs before the move too place. Having to rescue Athena off of Vancouver Island in British Colombia was not fun. It was way too cold for that.

"Yet you have prevented that, you saved the West and prevented all that you have just described to me."

"Therefore I am to forget all the mistakes your brother made? Pretend that it never happened, that it was all a figment of my imagination?"

"No, instead be proud of what you have done and know that you have given your liege lord another chance to rule wisely. War is on the horizon; my brother knows this but is in denial. Young Jackson's quest and your arrival are proof of that."

I gave another loud sigh the second of the evening, "then my quest to prepare the west for the coming war needs to continue."

"A task made all the more harder by your actions of late."

I grimaced and looked away and to the right, "I know, frankly I didn't want to do what was asked of me, but I had no choice, my patron demanded it of me. Though I know for a fact that she will deny giving such an order. That at worst I had misinterpreted her command and went overboard. She gets a slap on the wrist I get the brunt of Olympic anger."

"A difficult position indeed child."

I gave a bitter laugh, my time with Olympus has not been a happy one and being able to relax far and few between. Happiness snatched when I can, yet fleeting all the same.

"You have the look of a seasoned warrior, yet are barely an adult."

I nodded my head in acceptance, "at what age did the heroes of old do their deeds? Did they have the luxury of being adults?"

"In many cases no, that is the worst aspect of Olympus, children dying young in quests of glory."

"Isn't that the truth," and I sighed in sorrow. There was a moment of silence then I spoke, "That explains your brother but not you. What do you do that Olympus cries out in despair should anything happen to you?"

"Who am I? I am the heart of Olympus. My domains are of the Hearth and home. Where I go, our home inevitably follows, I say this without boasting for it is true. Olympus moves only when the Flame moves not before. The flame of the West is the core of western culture, ideology. I represent the home, the feeling of safety that comes from entering ones 'castle.' I am the glue that holds our family together, for like in ages past the family gathers around the hearth to bask in its warmth."

I listened with confusion, "So… you represent the home not just in an abstract sense but in a physical sense. That explains your aura about you. The flame of the West which you care for is the cultural and ideological heart of our civilization, and it moves from time to time. Once it moves you and the rest of Olympus moves as well." I would like to say I didn't understand, but I think I did. Being around her I felt safe…secure…like I could just bask in her presence. I was so glad I was able to resist her aura earlier. I was unsure if I would have been ready to fight her if I had been subjected to her aura.

"That is correct child; now let us discuss what you will be doing to help me tend the hearth."

I tried to avoid groaning; after all, she was my ticket to not being smited right away. Well for an arranged death that could not be traced back to Olympus. After all, Alejandra's Greek aspect could be vicious when she wanted to be. Well to be fair Alejandra can be just as vicious, she just lacks the history.

I ended up staying there for the rest of the evening; she was even kind enough to grant me a room to sleep in. Frankly, I was tired from stooping for hours on end. I mean really how often does a fire need to be tended? Who cares at what kind of wood should be used? I mean isn't the fire itself magical?

I set my alarm clock for 6:30 in the morning that would give me eight and a half hours of rest to recover my energy and prepare myself tomorrow for the campers of Camp Half-Blood. I didn't need to worry about my lesson plan because I had my first weeks lesson already down pat. All that I needed to do was to go to retrieve my ward stones.

I left the temple, it was dark out, the sun had set hours ago, and the moon was rising. It would have been lovely if it didn't represent death from a perpetually angry goddess.

Hestia's temple was centrally located with temples of all sizes nearby. The bigger, the more important, it was a system that made sense, but those that had smaller temples might be insulted. I gave a shrug that wasn't something that I could change after all so why worry?

I began walking towards the arena. The few satyrs, nature spirits, and Gods and Goddess around stopped and stared at me. I could feel the weight of their gazes on me, and I didn't care a wit. Instead, I straightened my posture and continued walking while attempting to keep a smirk from gracing my face.

I fast walked to the arena, it was empty and cold. I gave a slight shiver as the cold smothered me. The warmth of the torches did nothing for me. Then again, they weren't meant for warmth considering how little heat they emit.

I walked through a long tunnel into the arena itself. I felt…odd, satisfaction wasn't there, nor was pride, or joy. Instead, I felt a slight twinge of shame. I injured the one Goddess who would never hurt me unless I provoked her. Yes, she accepted my challenge but still….

I shivered and started walking again. I needed the four ward stones. Ten minutes later I had located three of the four stones. The forth was missing, I felt worry creep up, where could it have gone?

I stood there for a few moments thinking about where it could have gone.

In the end, it hit me like a thunderbolt, I knew in an instant where it had gone, Lady Athena had it. Her curiosity knew no bounds; it was a source of great annoyance and satisfaction for me. To know that she had been impressed by my magic and wanted to examine and dissect how I had done it.

I began the walk towards her temple and at the same time pulled out my 'Book.' I needed to activate a tracer spell. A really low-key spell, I was going to illuminate the three ward stones I had and then forge a visible link to the missing fourth stone.

I said the word activating the spell once I was at the threshold of Athena's Temple. Like I suspected the stone was inside. I didn't hesitate and entered uninvited on my personal quest. Let us pray that the Fates are generous and that Lady Athena is in a good mood.

The library was dimly lit with torches; their shadows illuminated the shelves and gave the library a slightly creepy vibe. Especially as I had to deal with the owner of the temple and her familiar that could see in the dark. Not that I would be able to hide the string of light was going deep into the temple and was illuminating everything near it destroying my night vision.

I didn't hesitate though, I wanted that stone. I walked past books that were older than America I was sure of it. It wasn't just books though it was statues, busts, paintings, prints, Knick knacks, games. The last one made me pause. It was a monopoly game, the box was fading and torn in places, yet I couldn't figure out why the Goddess of Wisdom and Knowledge would have a copy of Monopoly.

I hesitated for a few more seconds before moving on. I could ask about it later, assuming I was allowed here again.

I looked at my watch and noticed that it had been five minutes so far. Just how big was this temple? Was it really THAT big or were there expansion spells on the inside? Well the Divine equivalent, I doubt the owner of the temple needed magic to expand the temple.

Eventually, the ray of light went through a doorway. I groaned internally, a door why did there have to be a door?

I approached it and knocked. The three hits seemed to echo through the temple, and I braced myself. I knocked again and still nothing. I went for the third set of knocks, and then the door opened and there stood Lady Athena.

She was wearing a Chiton of the purest white with gold trimming. Her hair was drawn up in a bun that was not as tight as usual. There were two strands of hair framing either side of her face. In all, she looked great, though the only down check was the eyes. Her storm grey eyes seemed to pierce my soul.

Yet I hadn't spent the last two years near her that I didn't learn a few tricks. In this case, go on the offensive and do not retreat. I bowed, "Lady Athena, it is a pleasure to see you again."

No response, then again I didn't expect one. "I tracked the last ward stone into this room, and I wanted to thank you for preserving it and ask for it back. I need it for my lessons tomorrow."

She didn't respond, but I could tell she was looking at me, analyzing me.

I just stood there waiting patiently for her to make a decision.

"Why do you dislike my father so much?"

I gave a laugh and rueful smile that was part indulgence, part apology. That question, it was the practically the most common question she would ask me, beyond how I got my powers. That one I evaded with all of my cunning. Telling her the truth would put me in an awkward positon, to say the least.

"Your Father has an ego, that isn't a crime nor is his arrogance. When it becomes an issue is when his ego and arrogance interferes with his ability to make sound decisions. You father started a war and then dared to lose it fast. He didn't even plan the war just declared it. His brothers were far more prepared, and it showed. Yet people still looked to him for leadership. Olympus seemed to stand still without him, and nobody attempted to fight the Titan Lord or to gather what forces we could to defend Olympus. It was pathetic. One demigod, one very mortal demigod created the Resistance and helped lead. One Demigod was asked to give advice in a way that only the Gods were. You ask why I dislike your father. I dislike how his lack of leadership compelled me to take command. I dislike having to spend sleepless nights figuring out our next move. I dislike having to fight, to kill, knowing that it is kill or be killed. I dislike having to give up my dreams so that he can rule and the rest of just sigh knowing we can live in peace. Most of all I dislike knowing my fellow demigods were put in impossible situations that they might not come back…including some of your children. Those that didn't perish at your rivals hands that are." Let her chew on that…after all she didn't see what Lady Hestia saw.

I took a deep breath I didn't know I needed and then collected myself to the best of my ability. "I dislike your father because he can't admit that he was wrong nor is he willing to change. That is why I dislike your father."

While I was ranting, she was looking at me with a neutral expression. I had no clue what she was thinking, though that was normal for her.

When the silence reached the five-minute mark, I knew what where this was going, the bargaining phase. However, I was not in the mood to cave, so I remained silent.

When the ten-minute mark was hit, I pulled a chair out from my storage space and set it up. I moved to sit down when it vanished, and my ass hit the ground.

Offgh! I sat there stunned for a second, "Good one Lady Athena I didn't know you had it in you to pull a classic."

She just glared at me slightly; I rolled my eyes in return. "I had a chair for you don't worry. Though unfortunately, I seem to be a chair down at the moment…Listen I know you are curious and I know that you are failing to figure out the spell. So let me make it up to you."

She raised an eyebrow in response.

Good, I had her attention, "You know what I can do with the stones, just about anything. I cannot create life or resurrect a life once dead. I cannot create an individual exactly the way they were in living; after all, it is a rare person who is able to know a person that fully. Nor can I create something that I have little to no knowledge of. However, I can do just about anything else. Imagine a recreation of any event in human history. You or your children can witness or critique said event and improve your, and I gestured at her and away, readiness."

Her expression had not softened a bit, yet I did need to set terms, so I continued.

"I cannot do this forever; after all, I will not be at Camp Half-Blood forever. While I am there, I am willing to commit a few hours a week. That is no more than an hour a week to this endeavor. For you, I am willing to another hour."

I could see the wheels turn in her head, but only for a second. "Three for my children, five for me."

I resisted the urge to smile, now came the second phase. "That is too much, that is a full day's work. I need the time at the end of the day to rest."

"You have Saturday and Sunday, you only need one day off."

"Risking burning myself out in the process, not good, if I were to do that I would need to be compensated. Extending the normal work week by a few hours is doable. One for your children, two for you."

She swiftly countered, "You are under censure from my Father and over half the Council doing extra credit will be your compensation."

"Yet that doesn't deal with the issue of burnout. I need the two days off unless you plan to give me Friday off as well."

"Impossible your schedule won't allow it."

"One for your children, that way they won't waste my time and energy, and three for you."

"Two for my children, and three for me, with the way you are going about it you need allies on the Council."

I hummed to myself in thought. Lady Athena was one of the few who voted for me. I knew what she could do both for me and against me if angered. I still remembered her sucker punch. I swear that without nectar I would have needed false teeth. "Very well, Lady Athena I accept your stipulations with one addition and one understanding."

She crossed her arms clearly telling me to get on with it.

"I cannot tell you how to replicate the magic used nor can I duplicate it for you." Technically I could, but I had no desire to do so. "Furthermore, the nature of my magic is different from the Titaness of Magic's children. Their magic is a pool inside them that they need not repay. My magic has to be repaid; however, I have greater flexibility on what I am able to do. What I am getting at is, my patron is well within her rights to demand compensation based on the level of my debt. The higher the debt, the higher the task given, such a task can be given at any time and at any moment I will not have much of an option if any. Should such an event happen, we will have to postpone potentially for a fair amount of time the extracurricular activities. I can try to make up lost time. However, I am unwilling to be in debt beyond one weeks' worth of time for something I cannot control."

She looked at me for a moment, "Two weeks to be repaid out over a month."

"For you alone, even in Universities canceled classes are not made us. So long as I still able to get a full eight hours of sleep and am able to keep the majority of my weekend, spend half a day Saturday instead of a full day."

"Acceptable," and next thing I knew the missing stone was in my pocket.

"My thanks Lady Athena," and I bowed, "By your leave Milady?"

She gestured in the direction of the door that she had opened, and so I bowed once more before retracing my steps. Knowing full well that her eyes were on me as were Gladius's.

I was glad that I didn't decide to unravel the spell. That would have annoyed her greatly.

When I went through the door, I expected to see maybe a workstation or another part of the library. However, when I crossed the threshold, I found myself on the stairs leading toward the street. I twisted my head and saw the entrance to Athena's Temple. Somehow, I had been transported out of the temple without my knowing about it…well, I was aware of what happened just not how. That was what I but I was out. My watch said nine pm. It was time for bed. I walked towards Lady Hestia's temple for a light dinner, shower, and bed. The day was officially over.

The rest of the evening was uneventful…thankfully. I ate a fish and rice dish with tomatoes, olives, and bell peppers. With a side of veggies and an apple for dessert…I wasn't allowed any ice cream. Mint chocolate chip would have been so lovely on a summer evening. Guess Lady Hestia was keeping up with the you get no dessert theme.

I went to be by ten thirty and was soon asleep. Working so much magic in so little time is tiring.

Soon enough the alarm I set went off, it was time to get up and prepare for my first day of school. This time I would be teaching the lesson and not receiving it.

I got up, ate some pancakes, bacon, and eggs, making sure to sacrifice some of my food as expected. I gave some to Lady Alejandra, Darshana, Hecate, and of course Lady Hestia.

Speaking of Lady Hestia, where was she? I mean I am not obligated to know where she goes at all times but still. Having some acknowledgment, a note, for example, would be nice. After all, I learned how to tend the fire but not when I should do so. Could I be that I wasn't expected to tend the hearth, merely be a guardian of it?

Now that I was fed, I decided to head on over to Camp Half-Blood. I stepped up next to the hearth. This would be tricky. As Lady Hestia's aid, she vested me with a portion of her powers. A small piece which allows me to go from one hearth to another hearth if need be. That was the best part of the deal I had been compelled to make

I wanted to go to the hearth at Camp Half-Blood, and so I concentrated. I concentrated on the fire, the hope that it brings, and the undercurrents of the west and who we are. I focused on the Camp and its purpose.

After a few seconds, I felt it, a wood burning sensation, flames erupted from my feet and the next thing I knew I was bursting from the hearth into Camp Half-Blood. The time was 7:30am. I looked around; the entire camp was staring at me. Well the ones who were not wearing their food, they had been too close to the hearth when I had arrived and had been startled.

I offered an apologetic smile to them and moved to where Chiron was sitting at the Big Table. All eyes were on me, but I didn't care. They were far too young to affect me.

"Mr. D," I bowed, "Chiron," and I nodded in respect. "How are you all this morning?"

"Your back Andrew, was it too much to ask that my Father smite you?"

"I am afraid your father intends for me to teach the next generation of demigods. I am looking forward to my first lesson." Of course, if there were any Justice Mr. D would have been replaced by another God years ago. He really is wholly incompetent.

"Of course, try not to kill anyone. I'd hate to have to incinerate you," and I could see Mr. D's eyes glow purple."

"Of course not, Mr. D that would mean that I would have failed as a teacher."

"See that you do Andrew." With that, he went back to ignoring me.

I turned to Chiron, "How are you Chiron? Anything of note happen yesterday or the day before?"

His face took a solemn look. "Beyond your exhibition match with Lady Hestia no not really. It is clear though that you know more than what you are talking about I would wager."

I gave a slight frown, he was referring to our earlier discussion on what I knew combined with what I had revealed to Olympus…most unwise of me. "I do know more, yet I cannot tell you until the Fates demand it. What happened yesterday was an intervention by the Fates. Yet until they release me, I cannot discuss what happened."

"Hmm, well your lack of formal education and actions of late have been explained." No, they haven't, all you saw was the duel? What do you know Chiron? "You will spend part of your day teaching under me and the rest studying."

"Yes Chiron, when will I get my schedule?"

"I will give it to you later today. Tomorrow morning at the latest."

"Sounds fine with me."

"Now, have you had breakfast?"

"I already ate; Lady Hestia was most generous to me."

"That is good, that is good."

"May I be excused I would like to use the extra time to prepare for my first lesson."

He gave me a calculating look, which replaced by a soft smile that was very different from his glare of disappointment on Friday. Frankly, I wasn't sure what to do with it. I was feeling uneasy, "you may."

I gave a nod and walked off everyone's eyes on me.

I was back, and heavy was the burden. It was amazing how fast a day could change. Yes, technically it was two days, but the thought was the same. This time Saturday, I was free as a bird. Advance the clock to Monday morning, and now I felt as if I was back in the war. Despite the peace, I could feel the tension, or maybe it was my imagination based on what was going on with me.

In any case, I made a fast march to the Big House. I would need my armor and weapons, and I had quite the journal entry to add. What should the title be? I Stepped in it this Time, or How to Piss off the Powers that Be. I know, I gutted a Goddess and Got Away with it…Mostly.

Eventually, after a quiet walk, I made it to the Big House. It was just like I remembered it. Well, I didn't expect it to change in forty-eight hours.

Either way, I went inside and to my room which was exactly how I left it. My armor on its stand with my sword hung beside it.

I put on my armor, but first I took off my clothes and put on an undershirt and light cotton pants. I let out a groan as I bent down. I knew I stunk; after all, I had been wearing the same clothes for two days now. All I could do though was change my underwear and socks.

Then I had a thought that made me groan. Why would I need my armor? Today was going to be my introduction day. Where I would go over the various monsters within Olympus purview, and then discuss how to tackle them. But first, you need to know who I am and where I came from. Okay so today I will discuss who I am and where I came from, then I will have the campers do the same. I will record their experiences in a journal as well as what monsters they have fought. From there I can use the information to discuss how to handle each monster, discuss the tactics they used. What they did right and wrong and so forth. It will take some time I will need to earn their trust which has been lost due to my actions in the game and potentially during my duel with Lady Hestia.

I will also introduce them to my alternate world, which will be where I will conduct my lessons. That should take up a weeks' worth of lessons so on to next week? Powers this reminds me of giving me very first tours ever. The nervousness, the excitement, the need to look at my notes every few minutes, the desire to provide a grand tour but unable to overcome my doubts.

Get a grip Alex I have done this before. This is just another tour. I have two hours before my first lesson. Let's see what does my schedule say…I have Hermes Cabin, oh joy…well nothing to be done for it now.

I spent the next hour reviewing my lesson plan and another fifteen minutes making sure I was ready, i.e., did I have everything, did I need to go to the bathroom. Was my water bottle low, did it need to be refilled?

In the end, though it wasn't even a matter of concern, I was ready I was just nervous. Hard to believe what nerves can do. But when the last time you tried to teach high schoolers led to a disastrous semester, you take note.

At half an hour until I left the room and headed towards the combat arena. I needed time to set up my stones, this time without the fireworks.

As I headed towards the arena I noted what a good day it appeared to be, the sun was shining, only a few clouds in site. All in all a great day, Powers I wish I were giving tours at Colonial right now. Instead, my younger self is doing so…wait a sec. How is that even possible? He is me I am him, there should only be one person at any given time. Even twins are different people despite outward appearances….

Gods this is such a headache.

I kept walking, at this point, there was nothing that I could do right? Well, I hope it was right, after all, I would prefer the Fates to fix this mess, not I. Though given my ability to mess with Fate they may end up using me anyway…

In the end, I just kept moving forward. I looked at the watch, it was twenty to ten, I looked up at the arena which was right in front of me. I was right on time.

I strode into the arena ignoring everyone that was there.

The arena was empty, but I could see a few onlookers in the stands, they wanted to see what I would do no doubt.

I gave a thin smile; let us give it to them then. I set about setting up the four stones. I did not use the entire arena floor though. Instead, I used only a third of it. The fun of creating your own mini world is that you can not only create the landscape but the overall dimension as well.

My little chickadees are going to be in for quite the surprise, and I couldn't help but laugh to myself earning myself looks of concern. No doubt remembering my duel with Lady Hestia and the viciousness, I had conducted it. I didn't care it was time to kick their asses and remind them why being a demigod wasn't all fun and games.

I sighed, that was like the pot calling the kettle black. I didn't want the child demigods to be black and blue, but I did want them informed and ready. Strategies, improved conditioning, the works and my one-hour a week lesson could help.

That reminds me I need to make an announcement to the Athena cabin regarding my arrangement. Not that I anticipated any issues if anything I expected a cluster fuck if the rest of the camp found out about my deal with Athena.

I looked at the clock it was five to ten. I looked around and could see that there were more people in the area. If I remembered correctly, Hermes Cabin had approximately forty individuals based on all the side glimpse I had made during the various meals I had in the past few days.

It was enough to make their own Capture the Flag Team and an eclectic one at that. Considering all unclaimed and Gods/Goddess considered too minor had no choice but to house their children there. A sore point I know, one constant aggravation that made them question why they were still loyal to Olympus.

When the clock reached ten show time. I took a deep breath, one for the money, two for the time, three to get ready…four to go.

"Alright, if you are here for the Monster Assault Class gather round," my booming voice echoing throughout the arena.

They looked at me, then each other and slowly they began to get closer to me. Well to the front rows of the spectator's seats, none were in the arena itself.

"As Lord Zeus commanded I am to school you all," at that, I gave a wry grin, "however, it was left to Chiron to give me a specific class. He was kind enough to grant me this class." Thankfully not the basic archery class like I was told earlier.

I took a deep breath.

"It is my goal that upon taking me class that you will not only learn what kind of monsters there are out there but how to fight them. Said monsters can be the stereotypical monsters like Hellhounds, and Dracaena."

I took another breath, time for the shoe to drop. "However, the definition of a monster can vary after all us Humans can be pretty horrid monsters ourselves if the Holocaust is any indication. That means that I plan to discuss how to combat immortals…and mortals."

I left off at that, and I could hear murmurs from the crowd, it was an uneasy shuffling but one that made sense.

"So," and I clapped my hands in a non-attention getting fashion. "To improve your readiness, I have devised a way to allow you all to gain firsthand experience without having to deal with any fatal or mortal injuries. I am of course talking about the alternate dimension that I have created."

There were louder murmurs, this time excitement; no doubt, they wondered what exactly I could do with my dimension.

I smirked, "Now that I have your attention, I do need to know what you have experienced. As in what monsters have, you fought. Part of this class is to discuss tactics, sharing what went right, and what went wrong is essential. I do not expect you to do this today. Today is meet and greet. Where you will tell me your name and what you have experienced. Just a list of monsters, that way I know what to go over and I will be going over as many monsters as I can."

Everyone looked at each other like I was from Venus instead of Mars. I looked at my watch, it had been only ten minutes give or take five to fifteen seconds. Another thirty-nine minutes to go. I gave another grin. I estimated that it would take no more than forty minutes for roughly everyone to give their little intro.

Eventually one began to speak up, "Lydia, unclaimed. I have fought hellhounds only."

I nodded at her, "Pleasure to meet you, Lydia. I am jealous that the Fates didn't grant me your luck."

I saw her eyes widen. Did she really expect me to look down on her?

I gave a soft smile, "I have seen too much Lydia, and I really wish I was not forced into this position. I would rather much be elsewhere right now, like giving tours. Nevertheless, the Fates have ordained that my knowledge is of better use to you all then keeping it to myself. So pass it on I will. Next."

"Andrew Smith son of Hermes, I have only ever seen a cyclops and hellhound from afar."

"Boy do I wish I had your luck," your father must have been watching out for you Andrew.

The names kept coming, Camille, Helen, Steve, Kyle, Bobby, Alexa, and so forth. By the time they all made their introductions, I knew who they were and more importantly what kind of experience they had. Knowledge is power after all, and I needed to arm myself with a lot of power.

As I called on each of the individuals to make their introduction, I could see the confused looks they were sporting. I must have come across as a holier than art though individual which was amusing. I had to suppress the urge to smirk though, and that would ruin the image I was trying to give. A sincere image but one easily shattered given previous actions.

I looked at the clock, I had twenty minutes left apparently I was wrong about how long it would take for them to step up and introduce themselves.

Now it was my turn.

"Thank you for your introduction, now it is my turn," and I gave a slight grin when I heard the mutterings again. "My name is Alexander Guliani, I am from Texas if Y'all haven't realized that. I have fought just about every monster in the Olympian handbook, a few Titans, and minor God or two. Meaning that of this moment I have more experience of anyone her bar Mr. D and Chiron. That being said what I did to kill them isn't in some cases reproducible by everyone….I didn't kill the Titans or Gods just to make that clear." I hurriedly looked skyward to see if there was a reaction. Not seeing one I relooked at the campers and continued. "That is where this 'simulator' will come into play."

I gestured to my right, and I could see their eyes on it.

"In that simulator, I can run any kind of simulation you want with restrictions and limitations. After all, I cannot create life, and if I do not know the person or God, then I cannot properly reproduce them. What I intend to do is to allow you all to obtain real-life combat experience without the threat of death. The tradeoff is that there is going to be some pain. I will see about dialing it down, after all being shocked good after a solid hit would suck even for me. That being said since this is the first lesson I plan on ending a bit early if that is alright with you."

There were shuffling of unease then one of them stepped forward. It was the Brandon son of Zephyros God of Spring, West Wind and attendant to Eros.

"Yes…Brandon was it?"

"Yes, sir, what do you mean by injuries?"

"I mean it is possible to injure yourself but not kill yourself. My goal is to figure out a way to show you that you either messed up and were injured or that you put yourself in a situation where an injury was near certain." I looked at the rest of the cabin. "I do not want any of your maimed, killed, or broken. This exercise is meant to train nothing else. As this is my first time using the simulation in this way, we will start out simple. A group vs. one or two opponents, one vs. one, many v one, and so forth. Full-scale battles will be only with the approval of Chiron."

"Thank you, sir."

I gave him a smile; I could tell that I had said the right things, the murmurs were dying down.

"Are there any other questions?"

When none were forthcoming, I dismissed them, "Consider this your one time get out of class early card, enjoy the rest of your day."

At that everyone left the arena and I moved to pick up the stones. As I did so, I heard the telltale clip-clop of either a satyr or Chiron. Frankly, I was hoping that it was Chiron I wanted his feedback.

I turned around once I picked the last stone after what happened last time I was in no hurry to have to pay out another debt. Even if the payout was an Olympian's support to an extent, I suppose.

I was right, it was Chiron, and I gave a smile and walked towards him putting the stones in my left pocket along with my cell phone.

"Chiron, just the person I wanted to see. How did I do?"

"You did fine Alex, I do appreciate your in-depth discussion about the simulator and the need for approval before implementing your own capture the flag style game."

"Well after last times mess up I decided that it was better to ask this time than instead to request for forgiveness."

"A wise decision Alex, I do have a question for you. How far do you intend to take this?"

"I intend to allow the campers to experience real-world combat without the fear of dying without the fear of being maimed. By improving their theoretical knowledge on monsters compounded with a generous helping of weapons training and conditioning they will be ready to fight and more importantly survive."

….

"I notice you didn't say live is there a reason?"

I looked away remembering the horrors of the battlefield. I turned my head back to him, "It is hard to live when at any given moment your death certificate could be signed by Gods and Goddess who are too lazy to do their own errands."

He didn't say anything for a moment, "You're done for the day, your next class is tomorrow. I assume you will do a repeat of today?"

"I will."

"Then Gods be with you Alex, you have cast the die once again."

I gave another laugh, "The trick isn't to win but to stay in the game Chiron."

He didn't reply, but then again I didn't expect him to.

My day was done it was time to relax, maybe I could get another swim in?

I began to walk out of the arena when Chiron called out to me, "Alex!"

I spun around, "Yes Chiron?"

"Tomorrow you will begin your own set of lessons."

"Yes Chiron, thank you for telling me. What time is my lesson?"

"Right after lunch, now go enjoy the day."

I gave a small laugh, "I will!"

I turned around again and continued walking, the entrance in sight. The darkness of the tunnel giving way to the light of day, it was a new day, and I was looking forward to it no matter what happened. Though considering my luck, I would need to pray to both the Fates and Lady Tyche for help. After all, with lots of Gods and Goddess angry at me, I would need all the help I could get. Then again this wasn't new I had experienced this before. Though I did admit to myself, their anger wasn't directed solely at me. Good luck Alexander I'll need it.

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June 26, 2018

Well, I survived the Trial by Combat. Lady Hestia was as I suspected an idiot when it came to fighting. I trapped her within a parallel world of my own making and proceeded to dominate the fight. Well, I dominated all but two-thirds of it.

I made a critical error in summoning her father to be her opponent. Apparently, I had not read up enough on the pros and cons of creating parallel worlds. I can create a society, but individuals are based on how I see them not on who they actually are.

What happened was that Lord Kronos told all of Olympus why I was so worried and frantic about preparing for… well, it wasn't that bad. The Crooked One ensured that only Lady Hestia heard and saw anything. Beyond the initial glimpse that is.

I ended up having to strike a bargain with Ladies Hestia and Athena. Lady Hestia well the agreement was nothing more than a face-saving gesture to keep Olympus off my back. I have to help her tend the hearth. Not a task I want frankly. Lady Athena on the other hand stole…fine discovered the ward stones that I was unable to recover from the arena. Two hours of time in the parallel world for her children three for her, not the best of situations for me but far from the worst. I still wonder if I should have just canceled the spell destroying the stone and then starting over from scratch. Ah well, that ship has sailed.

In the meantime, I had my first lesson with the Hermes Cabin. I was teaching Monster Assault Techniques. Today was mainly an intro to the class and a general who's who. Once that was done I let them go early warning them that next time would not be the same. I plan to do that for the rest of the week. Next week the fun will truly begin, for them and for me.

Tomorrow I will receive a proper demigod education, but for now, I have the rest of the day off. While I would love to go swimming again, I have deemed that unwise. Considering the look, Lord Poseidon gave me at the trial. I do not want to go anywhere near his domain. At least not until I have redeemed myself…maybe not even then. This bites.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXA/N: I have finally finished this chapter! I am so happy to have done so. It took me a full year to complete this chapter, and I have to say I have done well. I have kept true to the purpose of the chapter and to the characteristics of Alexander. The trick is to remember those characteristics and the tidbits of information he gives out that will need to be addressed in the future.