Hestia's magic packed a real punch as Aaron quickly found, and it tasted very different than Persephone's. It was warm sure, but also tempered with a thousand emotions, conflict being a major force within. His newly strengthened aural and empathic powers required absolute focus when channeling that sort of magic, otherwise he ended up with a bloody nose and migraine just from the strain alone. The sheer complexity far exceeded anything he had ever studied before, and he knew it would take him at least a year to master the basics of the magic, that was how complex it was.
It was amazing what Hestia had written for him but also scary... with this knowledge, he could disarm the barrier that Thalia put up with her noble sacrifice. It would be require a vile sacrifice, but he could do it in theory. Hestia's magic was on another level and he realized that it was the perfect addition to what he had been learning. Nature magic, Necromantic magic, Warding and Healing with a dash of divination thrown in to gain knowledge and connect them all. He was on the path to becoming a real helpful, powerful being and that was something scary.
All he could manage so far was soft empathy that required focus, slightly enhanced fire to strengthen things he needed to be made into ash, a few enhanced blessed wards, scrying via fire ( that took so much focus his poor head ached for hours, no magic could help) and that campfire ward she mentioned. Basically, the most basic of her magics. Anything else was beyond him but it was a challenge he relished in.
Beyond him, by the end of January, one month after the Solstice, they had crafted their projects, changing the path of the Camp in ways it had never managed before.
The First and most amazing was Hestia's cabin, which was settled on the girl side of the Cabins on the far end. It looked like a normal russet-colored log cabin, with a roaring hearth in it's center. It was the size of any other cabin but due to Hetsia's magic it was thrice the size of the other cabins on the inside, personally crafted in large part by Leo and Charlie Beckendorf, as well as Aaron himself who blessed every piece of wood with simple but powerful wards and blessings straight from Hestia's grimoire. The Unclaimed kids and Hermes kids helped a lot as well, so the beautiful cabin was built in about a week. The moment the Hearth was lit, Hestia's magic surged throughout the place and calm filled it as well as the scent of vanilla oddly enough. The fire burned more purely red and it just felt like home. The Unclaimed kids moved immediately, relieving Hermes' cabin, which then got repainted and cared for in a general sort of way. It looked a lot nicer, and everyone was far happier.
Chiron, nervous beast he was, seemed uncomfortable around him after the Cabin was made... he wasn't sure why. It was kind of annoying really, but he wasn't uber fond of the being.
The Shrine to his Patroness and Hades was next and it was a deeply interesting piece of magic, settled in the center of the strawberry gardens. Like Hestia's cabin, he blessed it with sigils and blessings. The Shrine was a Gazebo and it was beautiful, ten feet tall and pure white with bones decorating the crown. Pomegranate trees ringed it, filling the air with their subtle sweetness. The lattice wrapped around it beautifully, with tiny gemstones pinned in a beautiful pattern. In its center was a small bench, where Aaron would frequently sit on, reading his grimoires. The moment it was complete, the power of Hades and Persephone, mighty and strong beyond measure, filled the air, along with the scent of jasmine and pomegranates.
Nature magic, strong and mighty, straight from Persephone resonated from the Gazebo and strengthened the lifeforce of the plants. Hades' peaceful but potent essence brought a sense of calm to all those that went nearby, and yet few did out of fear. Leo was one such frequent visitor, as were Charlie and Castor and Pollux, all beings that respected Hades. The Trees around the shrine held young Nymphs who acted as priestesses of sorts, caring for the Shrine since the gods in question knew no one else would bar Aaron really...
Things went well for a while after that, for another two months in fact but when Spring started, the day of the Spring Equinox, things took an... interesting turn. The moment the day started, when the powers of Persephone were at their strongest, he was dragged out of his body and his peaceful sleep, rushing skyward for only a moment to land at the Shrine to Persephone where he saw the Goddess herself.
She was stunning as usual, with a comfortable golden sun dress on, her hair the color of wheat, her eyes the color of the sky. Hestia was next to her, her face soft and sweet, her stunning curly black hair actually visible, falling around her face. She was wearing a black gown that actually made her look less boxy than her typical outfit. She looked human, maternal, and loving.
"You look lovely, my ladies."
The goddesses both smiled, but Hestia actually flushed. "I never wear anything like this, but Persephone insisted."
"I had to, you are lovely even by Goddess standards, you deserve to have your beauty shining for the world to see." The Goddess of Spring said, her tone almost one of laughter. She brushed her fingers across the sides of her shrines, smiling warmly. "I cannot believe you managed to create this shrine for Hades and I, really it is lovely beyond measure. Even the ancient people feared us so much it rarely happened... I cannot express my gratitude, but that is not why you are here." She turned to him, as did Hestia. "We are your handlers, for all things. That includes your quests to go get demigods. The gods gave us a list of demigods, and those that are in the most danger are the ones you will be finding first, if they are not already being helped by Satyrs or other demigods. Your first target, Byrce Michaels, is in need of care. A strong demigod, he is lives in a place called Jamestown-"
Aaron yelped, shivering. "I... I am from Jamestown, I grew up there for years, well Boliver mostly, but Jamestown... my family lives there."
Both goddesses shared a look. "Aaron, you cannot refuse, you made a public display."
"I know, and I am willing, but if I see my dad he might go to your realm, Lady Persephone, the hard way."
She smirked at him. "Give them hell... you leave at dawn, ready yourself, dear boy."
Hestia nodded. " Ready your magic, what you learned from all your grimoires and times at Camp, and remember the that My father may try to have someone interfere. Zeus may be ignoring the truth but that does not mean we cnanot make strides to better our chances."
"Agreed, my lady."
"You must go alone, that much I can foresee... now go, and prepare yourself."
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a joy to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.