For clarity, Aaron is a genius as much as a child of Athena. Wisdom is not just her domain, a lot of pure mortals are immeasurably smart.
Am I the only one who thinks that like Nico, some of Hades' hate of his family is misplaced. Not everyone could or would be afraid of him... it just doesn't fit. I can think of a few who would at least respect him.
I rarely see Silena turned into more then a traitor, girlfriend or bimbo... so I am making her multilayered.
Or so I hope.
"Aaron, are you okay?"
Meggy's voice drew Aaron from the Shadows and nausea of Teleportation , luring him to look up from where he landed at the shadows of the hall by his room in the Big House. He was weak, tired from the strain the teleportation had on his mortal frame. Two times in one day was beyond exhausting, all he wanted to do was sleep but he had no choice at the moment.
"Yes, just worn out. Those Council Meetings are... not that fun." His skin finally started to lose the feverish feel to it, leaving him cool and awake. "So many egos to work with and against, so many grudges and pain. I am shocked the Mountain is even standing."
Meggy giggled. "Were you approved?"
"Yes, I was. It was a majority rule, only your mother and Demeter and Zeus had a big issue with it and that was due to Persephone's kidnapping and well... you." Meggy didn't even cringe, she just sighed. "Athena had some issues with it but Artemis managed to talk her into it. It was closer then it sounds, really. If Artemis and Dionysius hadn't stood up for me, it would have been denied outright. They did deny the possibility of a cabin though, which sucks."
Meggy, knowing of Nico and Bianca, nodded with an annoyed look. " I can see why that would be an issue. Still. at least we can make the shrine."
"Yes, and it will be wonderful. I want some serious work on this, if we cannot properly honor Hades by at least giving him a cabin then we are going to make this shrine the best damn shrine the world has ever seen. It will be a lovely Gazebo, with an arch of Pomegranate trees, bones for decoration... it will radiate the full skill of this camp and it will be suitable for the God of the Dead."
"Meggy will make it so."
"Lets go tell our friends." Together they left the Big House and marched to the Forges, where their friends were waiting to start the big project. Since they had been forced to wait for three months, they had decided to make a hundred different designs of a million variations to make the damn thing utterly perfect. It would be something to be admired, and no one would stop them.
Reaching the Forges, Aaron nodded to the many kids who were used to his presence, then turned to Charlie, Silena and Will. "It was accepted." He went into finer detail, explaining which gods were for and against it. Will seemed relieved, Charlie was concerned his father said literally nothing about it, and Silena was disgusted with her mother's cruelty but said nothing.
Charlie stepped forward, determined. "Well, we better get started. If Lord Hades wants Bones and Pomegranates trees then that is what he will have. We just have to figure out a place to put it."
"I am thinking near the forest side of the Lake, so one can sit in it and appreciate nature's beauty and the Shrine itself. We should put a brazier in it, or some sconces to make it warm during the colder months so it is still visited."
"Agreed. Well, let's get started then. We have the supplies ready, we have the time and we are ready. Let's do this."
"""
Dionysius restrained his jealousy when he returned, seeing the fully constructed Shrine to Hades and Persephone already finished. The thing 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 gem stones pinned in a beautiful pattern. It was wonderful and he could see Aaron's touch as clear as day.
All that was left was to Invoke the Gods in question so they could connect with the Shrine and allow it to ooze their powers. It would be a game changer for the camp and go a long away in easing the tensions between the Underworld Demigods and everyone else. It would also help Nico and Bianca DiAngelo, whenever Hades brought them into the front line. Naturally as they had been in a realm of pure esctacy, the Lotus Hotel and Casino, he knew of them but kept quiet out of respect for his Uncle. The same Uncle that allowed him to revive his Mother and Wife, making them goddesses. With or without Aaron he would have kept quiet about them.
Deciding to watch the friendly mortal cast the spell that would link the shrine to the Gods in question, Dionysius approached it silently and under a thick veil of Mist. He did not want to interrupt anything, his jealousy would not be imposed on his friend. He would make sure of that.
He watched as Aaron pricked his finger, flicking the blood into the braziers of the Shrine, causing the fire to radiate intense magic.
"Aperi oculos tuos, et pulchritudo in conspectu velamen amplexantur lapides tibi hanc oblationem offerimus, Domine domine Persephone nostras puppim ripaeque propinquat. Patitur terra ista ad virtutem applicant elucere beatitudinem omnes qui vident. Aperi oculos tuos, et pulchritudo in conspectu velamen amplexantur lapides tibi hanc oblationem offerimus, Domine domine Persephone nostras puppim ripaeque propinquat. Patitur terra ista ad virtutem applicant elucere beatitudinem omnes qui vident. Aperi oculos tuos, et pulchritudo in conspectu velamen amplexantur lapides tibi hanc oblationem offerimus, Domine domine Persephone nostras puppim ripaeque propinquat. Patitur terra ista ad virtutem applicant elucere beatitudinem omnes qui vident."
The power of Hades and Persephone, mighty and strong beyond measure, filled the air. Lightning flashed as the magic of Spring and Death filled the air, cool and warm energy crashing against each other before melding into one. This new energy, a harmonious mixture of the two extreme forces of Life and Death, descended upon the beautiful gazebo, sinking into every ounce of wood, into the Braziers, into the Pomegranate trees. Then, like an explosion, the power rippled out reaching as far as possible, smashing into the very Core of the Camp's Magic, melding with and strengthening it. Dionysius looked skyward, and saw the silvery barrier of the camp shudder and strengthen as all of nature was empowered by Persephone's might.
Scattering the Mist, he walked over to Aaron who looked exhausted, which he understood, channeling such potent gods was exhausting. "You did well. The magic of these two has strengthened everything, even the barrier to the Camp has become far stronger. Even an angry god would struggle to break through." He smiled and poked Aaron's forehead, making the boy gasp as he sent a tiny flare of power into his eyes. "Look skyward, I have given you the power to temporarily see the barrier though you will develop this skill on your own eventually. Look at your work..." He stopped, and looked at the kind wondering eyes of Aaron's friends and felt his heart soften, he had promised to at least try to be nicer, and so he smiled at them before waving his hand at them, allowing their eyes to be opened to the magic he allowed Aaron to see. "All of you, look at your work. "
They all gasped, tears in their eyes. Amazed at what they had just done, the product of changing the game and granted Hades and Persephone a sliver of the respect they were deserved. Each of them were clearly moved, and in that Dionysius felt a sliver of his own happiness returned. Maybe he should be nicer to the Demigods...
"Thank you, Dionysius." Aaron said, his tone soft as the temporary blessing faded. "That was epic. I am happy to help, and seeing the products of my efforts, really it is wonderful."
Mr. D smiled. "I am glad... Now, I have a demigod for you to bring to camp, a young boy in Miaine. Meggy is to join you for this mission, naturally."
"Lovely, any hints as to who their parent is?"
"A minor god's child, not that it matters."
Aaron nodded. "Great, when do I leave?"
"You can leave tomorrow, that is when you were requested to leave." With that, the Lord of the Vine turned on heel and marched slowly back to the Big House, content with himself and behavior.
"""
Charlie frowned. "That was oddly nice of him?" He muttered, making Aaron chuckle.
"I told him it would be better if he was nice, he would probably get more respect that way. I think he is at least trying, which I appreciate. I think he is just miserable, not being able to make wine and be around his wife. It doesn't justify his cruelty but it does explain them." Aaron sighed. "I need more arrows, I used the last of my enchanted arrows on those Cyclopes that were attacking Naomi."
"We can carve you some before nights end, not a problem." Charlie nodded.
Will stepped forward. "I'll pack your salves, I made a few extra while you were gone."
"Always appreciated, my friend."
"What's our next project?" Silena asked, having been quietly standing by. "I have a suggestion if you don't mind."
"Not a bit, what is it?"
She gulped, looking very nervous. "Well, with the new demigods you are bringing in, there are a lot of kids going into Hermes Cabin. When Summer approaches it might be overly full. Maybe would at least patch it up, so it looks nicer and is more comfortable. Maybe put in some bunkbeds to take advantage of the personal space." There was a moment of silence in which everyone looked at her stunned. She blushed and turned away. " I just thought that since we have been bettering camp as much as we can, we might as well help them too. They really deserve it."
Charlie smiled at her first. "Sounds wonderful to me."
"Same." Aaron said.'
"Meggy likes it."
"So does Will. I think we've changed Camp more in the last few months then it's been changed in the last decade. It's so exciting."
:::
Silena masked her pain, her fear.
'This is it, the moment of truth. If I can start making positive changes maybe the Gods won't punish me for being a traitor... Luke's method is too violent, the Titans will never give us what we need. No, we just needed to take initiative and make changes ourselves. Respect for the so called Lesser gods was first, now it is time to help Hermes cabin and those within...
This is how I will be remembered, not for being a traitor but for helping heal the divide in Camp.'
Satisfied, Silena walked over into the Shrine and tossed in a few chocolates to the Lord and Lady of the Underworld.
"Thank you for helping the boy who is helping me take back my future, weather or not he knows it... thank you for your blessing and the safety you've granted the camp. Intentional or not, it was a massive service and one I swear will be recognized by all within camp. I can't promise they will respect it, but they will know of it. It is the least I can do...'
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a lot of fun to write.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.
Open your eyes and embrace the beauty before you, this offering, Lord Hades and Lady Persephone. Let this connect you to the land and allow your power to shine forth, a blessing upon all those that see it.