Aaron is partially based on Setne, who in the Kane Chronicles is a magician able to easily thwart the gods. I want to make a Greek version of that, someone rising to power through effort and knowledge and power. That is why Aaron is so powerful, at least in part.
Watching his brother easily kick Clarisse's ass was something Percy never thought he'd see, but here he was watching his mortal stepbrother thrash both Clarisse and Bryce, the two best swordsmen other than Percy himself... and he was doing it at the same time! Clearly, wherever he had been, his brother had been taught some serious skill. "How'd he get so good?"
Soft laughter made Percy jump, he turned to see Metis herself standing next to him with a smirk. "He's gotten better."
"Um... weren't you in Zeus' stomach, how would you know?"
She smiled at him, not at all bothered by his disrespect. "I saw all Zeus did and many things Athena did. I could also do some small acts of magic through my prison. I saw a great deal many things and yes your brother was one of those things. You were too... and to be frank I was not as impressed as I should have been. You are lazy kid." Percy cringed. "You had to be forced by Aaron into action more than once. Even after learning that you have a prophecy, you have done so little to better yourself. Well, that is changing. I am the Daughter of Oceanus, I will teach you how to mold your powers, physical, magical and mental until you are an outright beast. You're a smart kid, you are powerful and you have a lot of talent. I will not allow you to die because you were unprepared."
Percy went red, hating her words but he could not deny their accuracy. "Yes, Ma'am."
"I know obedience won't come easily, I get it. I am of the Sea myself, trust me I get it." She smiled, a lovely expression that reminded him far too much of Annabeth to be comfortable."
"Why are you doing all this? I mean Zeus ate you, shouldn't you hate us?"
"Why would I? Unlike most immortals, I actually give a damn about you mortals. Especially you of Divine blood, you are our kids. It would be wrong to cast you aside. More so, I am the reason for this entire age. It was my idea to poison Kronos, I made the potion and I made the plan. I should have been the Queen of Olympus. I will settle for the Goddess of Wisdom, Wise Council, Truth, Logic, and Justice. I will settle for the ruler of this camp, which was also my idea. Really I could do worse, don't you think?" She winked at him, making him flush. She was very, very pretty. "Now, I do believe your brother has just beaten the two war kiddos. It is time for him to return to his pilgrimage, say your goodbyes."
Percy nodded, thankful for a chance to say goodby to his scary mortal brother.
"""
"That is a lot... " Reyna said, looking at Aaron who had finished explaining all he had experienced on Mount Olympus. "To think that a mere Oceanid could take domains from such powerful gods..."
Aaron frowned. "It's not that shocking, the Romans shuffled the domains of Minerva into a variety of other gods, stripping her of her war domains entirely. Why not a powerful, experienced, magic user?"
"A wise strategy... I am honored to thwart it."
"Fair point... So more shrines?"
"Yup, She is an Olympian now, as is Themis... or she will be." He smiled. "It is about time more girls were on the council anyway, and more deities of wisdom and justice. Far too many war and elemental beings. They were really unbalanced before... I hope this really helps in the war." He turned to the paper in her hands. " So, do you appreciate the job you were given? I should have asked, but I had no time. I just went to someone I knew would be able to whip the Fauns into shape."
She smirked, appreciating his words. "I was getting bored as it was. I like ordering people around... now, we have a lot to get done. I will be placing a dozen Fauns roaming the Mississippi, it is a lead into many other rivers so if we help it, we can help so many other rivers and bodies of water. I will also be sending them to beaches, harbors and other bodies of water. If we start small and ripple outward, we can heal at least a dozen bodies of water entirely by the years end. That should really help in the long term.:
"It will strengthen Ocean's wife, and Ocean himself as they get much of their power from the power of their children. Pluto is sending souls to clean out the bodies of water and the seas around the US. It won't be perfect, but it can't hurt. It also creates an alliance between the Seas and the Underworld, easing a lot of the tension between the two factions for once."
Reyna felt a rush of nerves at that. She had no love for the Oceans or the Underworld, no Roman really did... but she saw his point. "Do you really think this will help in the war?'
"Honestly, yes. We are gaining a tremendous ally in Ocean, Tethys, and the ocean Deities. It will allow Neptune to not be distracted if nothing else. It makes it far harder to divide and conquer, which seems to have been Saturn's plans." Aaron might have said more but a sudden rush of pain stopped him, he fell to his knees, holding his head. This pain was familiar. "Juno is calling my spirit,... I have to go. Watch my body. I have never sensed so much fear or worry in her."
Reyna nodded, the most serious look on her face. "You have my word."
And then the darkness took him and his soul flew, so fast that he couldn't tell where he was going... all he knew was that he was suddenly in a clearing with several powerful beings, all Nymphs like the Hunters only they channeled Hera's might. He recognized Silena among them, looking radiant as always. "Hey, girly."
She squealed and tackled him into a hug. "I missed you."
"Same."
"How's Rome treating you?" He gaped. "Oh yeah, we are Roman and Greek, so we know. We know to keep it a secret." She giggled a little bit at his expression.
"Why was I called, Silena?"
She frowned. "We found a Demigod boy, he's incredibly powerful but young. He knew Hera on sight, he called her Tia Callida and was furious at her. Hera's never been that petrified, not of his anger but at the sight of him. She called him Leo and actually apologized to him. She said she would summon him a friend, someone that could help him see his mother again, she was human but she died years ago. I guess that's you?"
Aaron sighed. "Probably.. let's go meet Leo." She led Aaron away towards a large White tent that radiated power, Hera's power. The tent had scenes of love on it, and there was a large peacock literally dancing on the side. It was very pretty to be honest. Opening the tent, he kept a smile on his face as he met the Goddess of the Skies. She was radiant as usual, tall with black hair and a loving smile on her face. However, she didn't capture his interest. It was the boy. He was tiny, like a Latin Elf, and he twitched more than five times a second. However, what was really amazing was his aura, it was incredible, comparable to Thalia's, and it was as warm as a campfire.
"Hello, Hera, Hello Leo." He smiled at them both, bowing to Hera for a moment. "How can I help you?"
"He can help me see my mom?" Leo barked, looking very much offended.
Aaron nodded. "I am a necromancer among other things. I can help you say goodbye..." He kneeled down, smiling at Leo who looked almost afraid. "Normally I would have to wait until nightfall, but I am sure my boyfriend can help. It is nice to meet you, Leo."
The boy nodded. "Same, I guess... so, um, I guess I am a demigod. Tia said I was... are you?"
"No, my brother is. I am a witch, a pretty powerful one. That is why Hera summoned me, so I can help you with my magic."
Hera nodded. "I am trying to turn over a new leaf, Leo. I have made countless mistakes over my long life, some worse than others. To you, I was cruel, judgemental and abrasive. I did not help you after your mother died. I could have, I should have. At the least helped you find a new home... I owe you a great deal. This is part of my redemption. I will give you the chance to speak to your mother, then I will guide you to a place where you can be safe and learn to control your vast powers. Lastly, I will arm you with a weapon so you can defend yourself. It is not enough, but it will have to be enough for now."
Leo looked deeply uncomfortable, more than a little angry, and very afraid. "You're really my Grandma?"
"Yes, on your father's side... and I haven't been good at anything regarding my family. A terrible grandmother, a worse mother. I am trying to be better, to learn through my daughters here. Understanding the mortal world, getting therapy... it is making me see the world in a different light." She offered a smile that Aaron appreciated. "Now, go with Aaron and he will help you see your mother. I will call Camp, let them know you are coming. Please accept my apologies... I cannot mean them enough."
Leo just nodded, looking wary as he turned away from her to Aaron with desperation. "Can you really help me see her again?"
"Only this once... but yes."
"Okay... let's go."
"""
"Holy Jupiter." D'Anthony said, gaping at the sight before him. "How did this happen?"
No one answered, they just looked at the same sight as he did.
There on the floor of Jupiter's temple was the Prophecy of the Seven, utterly destroyed with lighting and fire. There were no new words, only a sense of dread and freedom oozing from the remains.
D'Anthony could only pray it was for the best... but in either case, someone has changed the future enough that this horrible fate would never come to be.
Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.
This was a fun chapter. I really, really loved writing it.
Love, your Ninja Overlord,
Mika.