Chapter VII. Camp Half-Blood
After Adra's birthday, all fell back rather easily in the rhymes of their life in Britain.
Bianca worked hard to make up for all the years she'd missed – learning with rather impressive swiftness to call on her powers as a daughter of Hades.
For her birthday, she'd received from her father a beautiful hair-clip in a dark matte metal, shaped like a raven, and a key hanging on a necklace. The hair-clip could turn in a rapier of Stygian Steel, which was the weapon the girl favored – and the key opened any door toward the Greek Underworld.
Clearly – though he didn't come by, the god had been watching.
Bill and Charlie, as both neighbors and the closest to her in age had taken her under their wings, introducing her to their year mates, some of which she was still corresponding with when they went back to school in January.
While he had less to catch up with, Nico struggled nonetheless.
The boy didn't like to be constantly one upped by both Luke and Thalia – but Luke proved himself a rather adept teacher, and soon the second child of Hades was getting better with his powers and fighting prowess too.
Where Bianca had inherited a strong necromancy ability to raise the dead to come to her help, Nico fared better with their souls – and while she needed a key to enter the Underworld, Nico was soon falling through the shadows all on his own. All in all, brother and sister had inherited quite different abilities from their father.
The boy also had trouble coping with the fact his sister was taking her distances – not that she didn't love him anymore, but rather that she'd been taking care of him by herself for so long she had needed some time for herself.
Fortunately, here too Thalia and Luke helped, as Nico hadn't had friends the same age as himself for a long time.
Hermes had visited once more, explaining more about the camp they'd heard about for half-blood.
It was a place all but fundamentally necessary given how the Greek gods tended to leave the mortal parent of their children woefully unprepared for the child's gifts and the dangers than would hound them. Of course, Luke didn't need to stay there all year round like some did, but the god did suggest he went there during the summer to meet his half-siblings – and the rest of the half-bloods.
Hermes admitted easily that the place wasn't perfect, as he'd kept enough of an eye on his son to realize Nico and Bianca's parentage – and that it didn't made them any worse than any other half-blood.
Luke hesitated.
While he loved his life – he also liked the idea of meeting other half-bloods rather than wixen.
Thalia volunteered to come with him, and Nico was soon demanding to be included.
The situation was more sensitive for both of them, as children of the Big Three… But after enough puppy eyes, and having explained quite clearly to them that they probably wouldn't be claimed by their godly parent for safety reason – the family relented.
Of course, always earnest in her responsibilities, Adra had taken the time to drop by the Greek Underground to explain the situation to Hades. The god had been understandably reluctant, given what he'd told her about his children's lukewarm welcome in Camp Half-Blood – but after Nico managed to stumble through the shadows into his temple to work the fearsome power of puppy eyes, even he had to relent.
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As such, nearly three years after their first visit there, the Potter-Black and the Lupin were back in New-York. The Lovegood would drop by only for the day for Litha, when Dewin and Sally would be officially bonding, while the other two families would stay until then to reassure the three young teenagers.
And so, on the first days of June, Pyxis, Remus, Sirius, Adra and baby Jason were nearing the large fields of strawberries that surrounded camp half-blood.
There were a few teenagers in the field, weaving their magic lovingly around the plants – and even some satyr playing some tunes to help said plants grow.
Nico was the one most openly fascinated – but Luke and Thalia were taking the place with wide eyes too. While they were used to the wixen world, this was different – this wasn't simply magic, but half-bloods using their powers!
By the time their reached the top of the hill, there was someone waiting for them.
The centaur was tall – gigantic looking even compared to those of the magical world, Adra mused, and she could feel on his soul the weight of numerous years.
His lower-body was that of a white stallion, as tall as the largest work horse Adra had ever seen, while his human half was that of a middle-aged man, with brown hair hanging around his face in short waves, bushy eyebrows over brown eyes warm with kindness…
"Welcome to Camp Half-Blood, I was told there should be new-comers arriving." he greeted them with a genial smile "I must admit I didn't quite expect as many people!"
"Only Luke, Thalia and Nico are staying." Pyxis pointed out calmly "But we couldn't well just leave them without checking on the place we were dropping them."
'I'm… surprised I never saw you," the centaur mused "it's always harder for the half-bloods growing out of camp." he said with some sorrow in his voice
"I'm not from the Greeks." Pyxis explained
This surprised the other "Oh, it's rather rare for pantheons to mingle…" that was when he noticed the Head of House ring on his hand "Oh, this explains it. My apologies, I hadn't realized you were wixen. Are the children too?"
"We aren't." Luke was the one to answer
"Well anyway, welcome, I'll take you on a tour of the Camp." a smile "But I'm loosing all my manners… I'm Chiron, the Camp's activities director."
He gestured at them to follow, leading them toward a large building "This is the Big House." he said "And our director, Mr D."
The man in question was a chubby man with blooed-shot blue eyes, a redness to his nose that betrayed a penchant to hit the bottle, and black curly hair. He was wearing a large tiger-stripped Hawaiian shirt and purple trainers.
More importantly…
All of this was but an illusion, ant intricately weaved glamour given the horrified looks Nico, Luke and Thalia were sending him. Remus himself was ambivalent – his eyes telling him one story, his nose and instincts another…
As for Pyxis, he could see pass the illusion just as the young goddess herself did; though he did feel the same tug as her indicating the god in front of them – because of course it was a god – was tied quite strongly to her own godly domains.
At first, Mr D hadn't even aknowledged their arrival, deep in a game of – Adra tilted her head with curiosity, not able to identify the card game – whatever against three satyrs.
Then, he rose his head, as if trying to get hold of a whisper, and turned toward them.
It was rather amusing, to hear the uncaring and gravely voice that was just as fake as the rest of his appearance when she could so clearly see the true, rather handsome looks, the god sported.
"More annoying brats, Chiron?" he asked
"Indeed," the centaur answered, respect evident in his voice, gesturing toward Nico, Luke and Thalia
Despite being rather unimpressed by the man, and not having felt yet his powers – the three had endured months of etiquette training now, so after an uncertain glance toward Pyxis and Remus, all three bowed lightly.
"Well met," Luke said, as the oldest "I am Luke Castellan, ward of the House of Black and these are Nico di Angelo, who shares the honor with me and Thalia Lupin, daughter of Remus Lupin, proxy of the House of Black and Potter."
"Well at least you have manners." Mr D grumbled "Non-magical raised by wixen, that's refreshingly unusual." he shooed away the satyr, that didn't need to be told twice, before turning his gaze toward the rest of the group "Though of course our other guests are much more interesting."
Chiron turned his eyes toward Pyxis, Remus, Sirius, Adra and Jason, a bit surprised as while he'd been surprise to see that only Remus wasn't a half-blood, he didn't know what could make them that interesting to the god.
Nico, Thalia and Luke shared a glance – the innocuous remark making them understanding that beyond the underwhelming appearance, there was someone sharper than they'd expected.
He stepped toward Adra, who smiled in answer – and there was something eerily similar in both smiles, making all take a double-take.
Only Anubis and Pyxis identified the fleeting feeling of Chaos.
"Well, why don't you take your new charges around while I entertain the guest?" Mr D suggested, shooing the three half-blood and the centaur.
To say Chiron was stunned, and vaguely worried for said guest, would be understating it.
Remus was taking out shrunken messenger bags, that went back to their regular size as soon as he put them to the ground – the black one for Nico, blue for Luke, and a silvery one for Thalia.
"You know how to contact us if needed." he reminded them "Have fun, and keep up with your training… We'll see each other for Lutha." a fond smile as the three young teenagers listened to his last minute instruction "And if you ever need it, we'll be just a portkey away. Sally and Dewin knows that you're in town too, so if you want to drop and see your mother…" Luke nodded too
May Castellan – was better.
She would never be the beautiful, vivacious woman that she'd been – but her moments of clarity lasted longer and longer, as apparently her curse had broken around last november.
Luke wasn't stupid, and it was easy to guess that the curse had broken when the Moirai had started to rewrite the tapestry…
He still visited regularly – but was always thankful that the adults in his life took the time to remind him that it was OK to do so.
Pyxis pushed the worried werewolf gently toward the children "Why don't you stay a bit more with them Mooney." he suggested "Adra, Sirius and I will be chatting with Mr D."
Not stupid, the werewolf raised an eyebrow – then with a shrug did just that, indulging in his mother-hen temperament just a bit.
Mr D groaned as the centaur disappeared, half-bloods and werewolf in tow, and the illusion around him shimmered and shattered.
¤.¤.¤
He streched leisurely "Ah… Better. I always feel as if I'm dipping in olive oil when I keep this up!" he commented "Not that I have anything against oil baths…" he mused
"So… Why the glamour?" Adra wondered
"Well, you're wearing one yourself!"
"True, but well," the kitsune pearl shimmered, letting the Soul Marks from her previous lifes appear "those aren't really inconspicuous!"
"Right, right." the god agreed "Well, I wear this because it nurtures my bad mood. And I need to keep it up if I want it to last for the ninety years I've left in this damned place!" a theatrical shudder "Sticking me in a place full of heroes and keeping me away from wine… How cruel! And all this just because I flirted with the wrong nymph!"
Adra laughed, entertained by the over the top annoyed tone the god with Mediterranean traits and gleaming dark blue-violet eyes.
Though she had to admit…
"No alcohol? This is cruel." she nodded firmly, making Pyxis roll his eyes, and Anubis eye her curiously "What! Just because I'm still 6 for now doesn't mean I don't know how to appreciate good things!"
"Didn't you drink a village of miners under the table as Ariana Elric when your were twelve year old?" Death remembered "And those youkai hunters in the Edo Era as Taishou Tsukiko? And…"
"I don't see how it's a problem!" she interrupted her brother firmly "I don't go around talking about your ice-cream consumption, do I?"
"Anyway," Mr D interrupted – though he looked reluctant, and there was unmistakable mirth in his eyes "It's quite clear that none of you are half-bloods… Though I'm wondering how you are able to go against the old laws without someone like grumpy daddy interfering."
Thunder echoed, proving that Zeus must have been keeping enough of an eye on the camp that he'd heard the talk.
"Well my pantheon is sealed in tight in the depths of Duat." Sirius pointed out
"And Asgard and the Sidh have both thrown out the old laws. You have too technically, you just haven't bothered noticing." Adra pointed out
The Greek god gave her a blank look.
"The Moirai have rewritten their tapestry, juste like the Norne, or the Morrígan did." Pyxis explained "And the first new prophecy the Nornes talked about explicitly said it was time to do away with the old laws and make something better, and newer."
Adra nodded "It's taking time for the gods that hadn't faded to realize change is coming but well… There have been a few new benediction granted by the gods in the wixen world, some gods are getting out to see their half-blood more often…"
All of this was true – even if it didn't quite really answered their fellow god's question.
But well, Adra and Pyxis weren't about to directly state all of the truth when Zeus was listening – it was rather clear the god wasn't ready for change.
Dionysus was looking thoughtful "Well, I guess I'll drop by my brother's temple later." he mused "So how is is that people from other pantheons came to have Greeks in their care?"
"Well Thalia and Jason were adopted by Remus after their mother became a drunkard unable to take care of them." Pyxis said
Thunder grumbled again, and he raised an unimpressed eyebrow.
Now the king of Olympus took notice? Now that they'd cared for his children and taught them, and protected them?
"Luke's mother was cursed so we took him in while his mother is interned in New York wixen hospital… He'll probably visit during the weekend if he needs to the mother of another half-blood we met in tow will come and get him." Pyxis went on
"And Nico and his sister were orphaned of their mortal parent." he succinctly concluded
"And you took over the duty the godly parents should have." the Greek god concluded, eyeing the sky in defiance – the echoing thunder wasn't quite as loud as the first two "Honestly, they wonder why their children don't live old when they aren't bothered teaching the damn brats how to live!"
His hands rose to embrace the place around them "All of this… this is just a stop gap measure! Chiron does what he can, but half-blood brats are just as opinionated as they godly parents, and their mortal parents aren't ready to take care of super-human, never-stopping, annoyingly-head strong children with out-of-their-world powers!"
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"Wow…" Pyxis mused, eyebrow raised "A god tied to Chaos is making sense and the rest of the pantheon doesn't realize something is wrong?"
Adra pouted "I don't see what being tied to Chaos has to do with not making sense." she protested
"Well, I am the god of madness." Dionysus felt compelled to point out
"So? Sirius is the god of death and funerals and he doesn't go around killing and burying people!"
Said god let out a startled laugh at the idea – but honesty pushed him to admit "I wouldn't either save someone if I knew it was his time."
"Well of course!" Adra nodded, looking scandalized
Pyxis laughed, mumbling something about 'a dozen souls saved', that only served to make his sister pout harder.
As for Mr D – there was a realization in his eyes, but he kept it to himself, instead wondering "So why is it that Chiron seemed to think your half-bloods? He's usually rather good at feeling auras."
A shrug "I don't really know. Usually Egyptian gods possessed people, so Sirius may have made his body more mortal feeling than usual…" Adra speculated "And well, brother and I are incarnated so our body are mortals."
"Uh." mused the god "I didn't know that's how it worked… I may have to try it for myself one of these days… Can't believe I haven't checked on the wixen world either in decades…" he mumbled "There was this wizard trying to make a new kind of enchanted whiskey last time I was there… I wonder how it turned out!"
He stretched and sighed "Ah well, back to my disguise." a shimmer – and his grotesque appearance was back, just as Chiron arrived back with Remus, little Jason still in his hands
"So, did you get rid of Clara, Nathan and Leonard?"
The put upon, but not surprised look made it quite clear the centaur was rather used to the quip.
"Luke, Thalia and Nico were situated in the Hermes cabin." he confirmed calmly, eyeing the visitors he'd left with the god to make sure they were still sane and in one piece
Remus was looking a bit more doubtful.
"The activities are great," he confirmed "even I we may have to send a few books for them to keep up with some of their studies." he mused
Chiron was a bit surprised, but not put out – it did happen that some parents, more involved, had some schedule for their children's studies… Though he couldn't quite remember the last time it had occurred.
"But the sleeping arrangement are a bit…" the werewolf sighed "Well, it's kind of Hermes to open his cabin to all unclaimed children, but really from what I saw there are way too many children for the size of the place! I don't understand why there aren't more cabins, quite simply… Or even if they are that attached to tradition, why they don't make this one larger…"
"The topic has come up a few time." Chiron agreed delicately
"And it always ends up in an all out brawl." Mr D concluded, rolling his eyes "As if some people's ego didn't let them handle the idea of another god having a large cabin."
The thunder remained silent this time – making Adra wonder if Zeus wasn't listening anymore, of if he just hadn't caught that the pike was clearly aimed toward him. Chiron eyes the sky warily, clearly wondering the same – and said "Well, yes, anyway Mr Lupin told me the children had tents, so they could be pitched near the cabin, but I wouldn't recommend it as there are some cleaning harpies that tend to think that half-bloods stragglers that are out of their cabin at night make a nice snack."
"It shouldn't be a problem," Pyxis mused "we used those tents when travel from Quebec to Vancouver, and the wards held against the roaming monsters…"
Chiron considered it for a moment, a bit worried still, then he shook his head "Forgive me, I haven't had wixen children here since so long I'd forgotten that they are far better equipped to face their fate than the children coming from the non-magical world. Which is probably why they don't come here all that often…"
"There's no real need beyond socializing." Adra had to agree "Which can be important in itself, but not all wixen half-blood realize there's no need to hide their magic, so it puts a dampener on their experience her." she explained
"As for those three," We wouldn't have thought to send them either if Luke's father hadn't mentioned it." Pyxis explained "Which would have deprived them of the occasion to mingle with other half-bloods."
"Who knows," mused Remus "if it goes well, they may well convinced some wixen half-blood to drop by next year."
Thalia, Luke and Nico made used of the communication mirrors Remus and Pyxis had fished out of storage from their years at Hogwarts that night, and the following – the calls dwindling to once a week as the got used to the camp and made friend.
Luke, they learned, had been claimed the first evening during the meal – as for Thalia and Nico, they hadn't, which they had of course expected. They were rather disheartened to notice how it weighted on numerous of the children that unlike them didn't even have an idea about who their godly parent could be.
In some of the older ones, it even touched on resentment – which they could understand all too well, given how dimly Thalia viewed her own father, and how bitter Luke had been during the first months after he'd been rescued from his deplorable family life.
All in all, while life wasn't perfect at camp, they really were enjoying spending time with children like them, - being able to sword-fight without a nearby adult wondering whether it was too dangerous, not having to tone down their physical prowess to appear normal like they had had back in the muggle world, and not being the odds one out without magic either among their wixen friends…
¤.¤.¤
By the time they were picked up at the entrance of the camp for Sally and Dewin's bonding ceremony, it was pretty clear that they would be coming next summer – and the following.
The bonding ceremony was simple but sweet beautiful. Natalia, Ayesha, Emily, Tristan and Frederick had been invited, as the half-bloods parents had kept in touch. While Emily and Tristan hadn't been able to come due to work, the other three were there.
Then, as the ceremony ended and the small party headed back to the Black Mansion where the reception was to be held, they'd had the surprise of an unexpected guest.
With black, wind-swept hair, a short shaggy bear and blue-green eyes, Poseidon was rather handsome. It was also quite evident his son was already taking after him, as their eyes were quite similar, as were their smile.
The god, that according to Sally usually appeared in Bermuda shorts, leather sandals and floral shirts, had made an effort for the occasion as he wore slacks with some dockside shoes and a plain linen shirt.
"I had to give you my congratulations." the god explained "And I took advantage of brother being kept busy with this evening's meeting." he added with a wink
There was warmth in his eyes as he took in Sally, Dewin and little Percy "You are beautiful as ever, Sally." he affirmed "And you've found yourself a great family."
The newly wedded couple shared a smile.
Poseidon fished out a box out of nowhere, of wood smoothed and fashioned by the sea. Inside, a simple necklace, with the most perfect pearl they'd ever seen – and as an enchanter and a half-blood, Dewin could easily feel the protective hum of the magic wrought in the jewel.
"You'll always find help in my domain with this around your neck." Poseidon promised, confirming his hunch
He turned toward Dewin "I didn't quite know what to gift for someone who already knows to work wonders with his hands." he said, eyes straying toward the bracelet protecting his son "So I decided to let you choose yourself…"
Dewin's eyes widened as he felt the power in the simple hemp bag the other was giving him – and even moreso as risking an eye inside, he saw a large handful of pearls, that while not as perfect and powerful as the one hanging around his wife were, would make for the kind of raw materials with which you could make a masterpiece.
Voice too tight to speak, he bowed in deference.
"I knew you'd see their value!" the god boomed happily, before glancing at the sky "I can't stay much longer but…" a hesitant smile "Apparently things may be changing, so I'll try to come and see Percy from time to time if I can." he promised
"You'll be welcomed." the couple answered sincerely at once
A happy smile – and the god disappear, leaving behind only a faint scent of sea and warm sand.
Thalia was smiling – happy for Percy, yet feeling a bit gloom that her father, despite being the one with the most authority in the Greek pantheon, was also the one so stubborn he didn't accept that times were changing, and that he could care for his children too now…
As if guessing at her feeling – which, knowing him wasn't impossible – Remus stepped close to her, shoulder against shoulder, and silently giving her support.
The demi-goddess smiled – remembering suddenly that she already had a father that gave her all the love and support she could ask for, even if he wasn't a god.
The rest of the summer had gone by quickly after that – and soon, it was time for Adra's birthday.
For this too, Nico, Thalia and Luke had taken a day off – and if some children had teased them about being too attached to their family, none of them minded.
They really did love their family after all – and it was a family of their choosing.
They understood all too well that the gentle – or not so gentle in the case of some of Ares' children – teasing was more out of jealousy than malice.
The party had been grand like always – and it was brimming with excitation about what was to come that Adrasteia went to bed.
Only to open her eyes once more, in the ethereal forest that was the Spirit Guardians' domain.
With a happy smile, she loosened her hold on her gifts, quite at ease in this place that wasn't quite the Mortal Realms anymore, and she started to wonder toward the call that was tugging on her senses.
¤.¤.¤
Once more, she found her way to the stone circle, where the silvery creatures were already waiting, along with Pyxis and Leto.
With a smile, she greeted them all with a curtsy and proper etiquette of an heiress of a most noble and ancient house, then proceeded to put the flowers she'd picked along the way in both man's hair under the amused eyes of the protectors of magic.
[Second Rite unlocked
- Black House: +2 PERC, Ruptum unlocked
- Lovegood House: +2 PERC, Familar Bond unlocked
- Moon House: +2 AG, Moon Aura unlocked
- Peverell House: +2 FORT, Thot's Small Favor unlocked
- Potter House: +2 FORT, Khonsou'Small Favor unlocked
- Ravenclaw House: +2 INT, Mikró Aéras unlocked]
[New Perk unlocked
Familiar Bond (2PP): unlocks a new familiar bond
Khonsou'Small Favor (2PP): grants Easy Shielding Magic Potency (+10 damages parried by Easy shield spells)
Mikró Aéras (2PP): unlocks Air Manipulation Skill up to 25
Moon Aura (2PP): unlocks a battle aura that grants +10% to all damages when active, and drains 25 MP per minute active
Ruptum (2PP): grants Blunt Potency (+10 damages to all blunt force spells)
Thot's Small Favor (2PP): grants Easy Healing Magic Potency (+10 healing done by Easy spells of all Healing Schools)]
Available: 30PP]
Around her, Adra noted, the Raven of Ravenclaw, the Valravn of the Black, the Wolpertinger of the Lovegood, the Grimm of the Peverell and the Gryffin of the Potter… But also, she noted with some surprise, an Inugami that felt deeply familiar to her.
This, she realized – was the newly materialized spirit beast of her own line – the House of Moon born anew in a new world.
Then, another notification popped under her eyes as she felt the spirit beast grant their protection, and her ties with her powers deepen once more…
[System Log! Party System unlocked
You can now now invite any being touched by the preternatural in a temporary party, giving them access to a simplified version of Chaos Game for as long as the party is active.
Note that a player cannot be younger than their First Rite whether they are wixen or not.
They will automatically unlock all the system already unlocked by the Local Administrator.]
[System Log! Communication System unlocked
You can now sent instant message to all players as long as you know them.
Vocal chat may be initiated at any time between members of a part, or with a prompt out of a party.]
[Status Update! Administrator
You are now Local Administrator for the current iteration of Chaos Game.
You can now choose Main Players and Secondary Players.
Main Players have full access to Chaos Game and can share the access with a few Secondary Players.
Secondary Players can't share Chaos Game, nor create parties. They also can also have access to quests from the Main Player they are tied to.
Note that all players are still beholden to the usual safety measure.]
Adra's eyes widened – it was she realized the first time she was that free with Chaos Game…
Which, she guessed, made sense as she'd started to make the powers her own a couple of life-times ago. Now, the Interface was taking into account both Chaos' input from the Immortal Realms and her own from the Mortal Realms.
She smiled, already knowing who'd be her first Main Player.
¤.¤.¤
She pushed the choice of perks for once she woke up – choosing instead to enjoy the serenity of the spirit guardian's place.
And once she woke up, she unlocked Thot's and Khonsou's Small Favors and the Moon Aura, wondering why there was an Egyptian theme in both the Peverell and Potter families inheritances, and vowing to dig a bit about it in the family grimoires before going to find Luna.
There would be numerous players – more Main Players than she'd ever met even, given the number of Chosen Ones in this life. But her Mist Guardian, who'd followed her from life to life, was always going to be the first.
The ethereal blond smiled happily, taking in the system she was rather familiar with easily, before asking "So are you giving this to Loki and Anubis too?" her eyes lit in mirth "Oh just think about the chaos Loki would unleash…"
"It would be rather amusing." Adra had to agree "But they can't be Main Player, it would be pushing a bit far the reasonable interference principle." she pointed out with some regrets
The two witches got down to the breakfast table – where everyone was gathered, something that occurred quite often despite the fact they all lived in separate houses nowadays.
"So I've unlocked the Party System." Adra announced to Pyxis
"It updated my Game Version too." Pyxis nodded "I was warned that my version of the game would be more basic as long as you weren't born as it's easier for Chaos to work with you thanks to your Revolutionary Art."
"It's the first time I'm a Main Player." Luna sing-sang happily
Not that it really changed much for her – she never enjoyed being a front-liner, and didn't fancy herself a leader that would need to share her gift and command people in battle… But it was the feeling behind the small gesture that meant everything – the fact that before her Chosen One, Adrasteia had turned to her age old friend to share the gift that shaped so much of her life.
"So… What are you talking about, for us peasants?" Thalia wondered good naturedly as she stole a couple of pieces of bacon from Luke's plate
"It's got to do with my role as a goddess. I think you'll agree that usually gods aren't quite as hands-on as me."
"You don't say." Nico dead-panned, having started to develop so dry-wits as grew more self-assured – and spent a bit too much time with Remus maybe
"That's because my powers are far more restricted than the gods from the local pantheons." Adra explained
"Isn't this just because you've incarnated in a mortal body?"
"It is. But the thing is, contrarily to them, neither brother nor I could ever step foot on this world without those restrains."
"Oh. So you are like uber-powered compared to them… So strangely it means you have to be less powerful to be here." Thalia mused, eyebrow gathering in a frown as she wrapped her head around this
"Think of it like this." Pyxis took over "You know that you can't watch at your father or the other's Greek gods true form?" a nod "And that even Leifr, Woden or Sirius' current form are just a toned down version of themselves?" another nod, as Thalia remembered Sirius changing in a jackal in the Duat "Well it's the same for us, but on a larger scale."
The third nod was less hesitant, as her confusion was clear.
"Since she's restrained in her powers, Chaos, the god that helps us transit to the Mortal Realm, crafted a unique system to help me, and the heroes I was sent to help."
"Chaos Game!" Luna concluded grandly
"It's like a futuristic video game," Adra explained – remembering at the last second that the eighties weren't quite a golden age for video games "And I only unlocked it in this world during my First Rite."
"And during your Second Rite, something happened to it." Luke guessed easily
"Indeed. The Party System, which lets me add people to the game was unlocked." Adra said
Main Players invite were sent toward the four half-bloods old enough for it around the table.
Given how their eyes widened, she could easily guess that Luna had used her Main Player privilege to invite her parents and grand-father.
Same for Remus, coming from Pyxis this time – a hint of nostalgia in the wizard's eyes as he tough about how much James and Peter would have enjoyed the game, and wrecked havoc with it around Hogwarts back in the days...
"It goes without saying, but while it is handy, Chaos Game is far from all powerful." she explained as she started to go over the how-to's, before glancing toward Leifr and Sirius "It's still powerful enough that I can only grant you a Secondary Player access, which is a bit more limited than the full Main Player access."
"There are some rules even you are beholden to." Anubis nodded, easily understanding – then head tilting in a very canine curiosity movement as the two gods two were seeing the green familiar words for the first time
Both Luke and Thalia, that had encountered quite a few monsters during their early years, were surprise to note that the Interface had already taken it into account, the perks unlocked and ready to be learned if needed.
It was as Adra, Luna and Pyxis were about done with explaining the main functions of Chaos Game that Bianca asked timidly "Why… Am I a Main Player?"
The question surprised Adra, and proving how perceptive she was, the teenage girl explained "You've never stated directly that I was a Chosen One, so I'm pretty sure I'm not… So, why me too?"
¤.¤.¤
"Just because you haven't been handpicked to change the world doesn't mean you can't leave your mark by yourself. You are free to make your own destiny!" Adra eventually answered with a smile "I've already change the fate of all of the Chosen Ones I've met, why can't I change yours too? After all, I did tell your father I would take care of you." she added like an after-thought
"This is going above and beyond duty." the Italian demi-goddess laughed – and if there were a few tears in her eyes, no one mentioned it
Truth be told – Bianca was rather relieved that she wasn't a Chosen One – especially in a world that was in so much danger it needed so much of them. She had felt she'd already done what Fate had in store for her by taking care of her brother, that was contrarily to her a hero to be…
But Adra's word hit home in that moment – and she realized that the goddess was right.
She'd done her duty by her brother, had learned how to defend herself as her hiding charm would soon become obsolete…
Now, it was time to decide what she wanted to do with her life.
After that, it was back to camp for Thalia, Nico and Luke, while the rest of the family went on with their life in the wixen world.
Without any surprise, Loki took to Chaos Game like a fish to water – he was after all a god affiliated to Chaos too. He'd spent the days and months following tinkering and listening to his powers, all to eager to try and create his own Loki's Game for the twins…
Adra could have easily shared her own game with Fred and Gorge – and she reserved herself the right to do it if needed in the future… - but for now, the god was having way to much fun to waste his efforts.
The goddess had also toyed with the idea to grant Chaos Game to the other heroes old enough – that is to say all but Loki's two half-bloods and Carter's two sister, Zya of course, and little Saddie, that had been born in March and had elicited her own Life Quest the first time she'd met her.
But she quickly came to the conclusion that it wouldn't be a good idea just yet– right now, between four and three year olds, most of her heroes were cute, rather active children but not by any mean ready to be given such a tool without supervision.
She'd revisit the idea as they grew older, hoping that by the time they reached the age of their Second Rite, they'd be mature enough.
¤.¤.¤
What she did do was visit Dionysus a few more time over the summer – now that she had gone through her Second Rite, she was better in tune with her magic, which meant opening portals across the ocean, that had still taken a bit of power out of her, was now as easy a stepping through a door.
Pyxis had been amused, but unsurprised to learn of her trips, as he knew she felt kinship with a fellow god of Chaos – and even without sharing a domain with the Greek, even he understood just how cruel Zeus' punishment was by forbidding him from partaking in any alcohol – he was after all putting the god in direct contradiction with his domain.
"I can't leave the Camp nor drink anything." Dyonisus had pointed the first time she'd come to 'entertain him' like she'd put
"Well there is at least one thing you like that you can do here," Adra pointed out, pointing toward the woods which she knew were kept stocked with monsters
"And risk the brats seeing me?" he dramatically shuddered in horror, making the goddess laugh – no wonder he was also the god of theater
"Just leave a clone here and take another appearance in the woods." she suggested "You should be able to do this, right?" she asked, not that well-versed in the Greek's abilities
There was a faint gleam in Dionysus eyes as he processed the suggestion.
A moment later, Mr D was left behind, and a teen-aged looking boy wearing the familiar features of Dionysus' true looks was heading toward the woods.
In the week and months that followed, it became rather well-known around camp that beyond Castor and Pollux, Mr D had another half-blood hanging around – only Denys wasn't very sociable and only hang around a little unclaimed half-blood nobody could quite place.
Thalia, Luke and Nico had been rather startled the first time they happened on one of the hunting trips – especially Nico, that had never seen Adra hunt before – but the interrogation mark beneath Denys' name in Chaos Interface let them easily guess there was more to the teen than they knew…
Taking this, and the rumors he was Dionysus' child – and there was only one step to make to guess that just like Loki, the god used the cover of being his own child.
¤.¤.¤
Adra was also taking trips to Elysium from time to time – keeping her promise with her ancestors she'd met them.
It had the unexpected benefit of letting her ask directly about the Egyptians mentions she'd caught in Chaos Game regarding both the Peverell and the Potter families. The answer, it turns out, was rather simple – the Potter came from the Peverell, and the Peverell, as specialist of the necromantic arts, had dabbed rather heavily in Egyptian Magic once upon a time, as Egyptian Necromancy was far more powerful and versatile than regular wixen necromancy.
She had also stumbled a few times on Hades, the god now healed enough that he was taking the time to update Maria on their children.
Persephone, his wife, had eventually caught on this – and thrown a gigantic temper tantrum. Adra had been rather non-plused, and Hades' face when she'd asked why his wife was so angry had been truly priceless…
"Wait, wait, wait…" the goddess realized, as the Greek god explained to her slowly what was rather evident for him "You mean that you Greek gods are like… still trying to keep up with monogamy? For eternity?" she laughed "That's impossible! I mean seriously, why don't any of you just ask to the resident goddess of Love?"
"Aphrodite's favorite rite of passage for her children is to have them break someone's heart."
Adra tilted her head, a bit surprised.
"There's probably more behind it than you know." she mused "She couldn't go so completely against her own domain without a good reason." a shrug "Anyway, after Light and I ascended, one of the first thing we were warned about was that… Well love isn't finite, so thinking we were going to be faithful to each other for eternity was impossible, but that of course it didn't mean we'd stop loving each-other just because we got interested in someone else from time to time… or even on a long term basis."
Hades' eyes widened.
"This… This does explain all of the half-bloods, doesn't it?" he couldn't help but point out
"Of course. And just because you love Maria, I doubt it means you don't have any feelings for your wife anymore."
"Of course not!" Hades protested heatedly, eyes darkening at the mere thought "I love Persephone, I have ever since I first saw her and I will still love her even should this world fail and get lost in the abysses!"
"And I'd wager she has a few half-bloods too from time to time, yet she always come back to you?"
"This…"
"This merit some thinking."
Adra and Hades stumbled, both too caught up in the discussion – and feeling safe enough in Hell that they hadn't kept their guard too high – that they hadn't felt the newcomer until she announced herself. The woman was beautiful, in a wistful way… Her long hair, floating and curling as if softly caressed by an unseen wind, were a brown so dark it appeared black, her eyes shone in multiple colors, yet all strangely muted, her smoky dress a patchwork of shimmering pastel color so pale they appeared nearly white…
This, she realized quite easily as she felt the same kind of powers Light owned, albeit on a lesser scale of course – could only be Persephone.
"I don't know who you are," the goddess said "but I thank you for you words all the same." she smiled at Hades, and there was true warmth in her eyes – clearly, the love went both ways "Getting used to a new way of thinking won't happen in a day, but what you said made too much sense to be ignored."
Adra, realizing that like often she'd shifted to her true form in the Underworld, hesitated a bit then smiled "I'm Shadow, sister of Death and Chaos, and goddess of Heroes. Well met. And I think I'll let the two of you talk!" she added with a wink
"Well met indeed." mused Persephone, as the green-eyed goddess left in a swirl of shadows "Come husband, let's head home. I may have been a bit hasty in banishing you from my bed."
"And I may have acted in a hypocritical manner unbefitting of a god." he answered in kind "I think we're even."
His wife's laugh was as enchanting as ever her mused as they headed back to the large temple that was their home.
¤.¤.¤
Adra had been rather surprised to realize something like polyamory needed to be explained to the Greeks – and probably the Roman too, as she hadn't encountered the problem in the Celt and Norse pantheons.
Loki, when she'd raised the topic, had rolled under the table in laughter. Sirius had been just as non-plused as her – or even more maybe – as while Egyptian gods didn't father half-bloods, their culture had been rather polygamous… And if the mortals had been rather biased in favoring one man and several woman, it hadn't been so among the gods.
As for Dionysus when she mentioned it a few days later, he had been rather amused.
"Oh, I quite agree." he finally managed to say as he stopped laughing - only reason he wasn't rolling under the table like Loki had was that there weren't any table in sight "But it's not as if people really care about the opinion of a drunkard, eh?" eh pointed out with some bitterness "Even if I'm the one who gets the least recriminations from my wife!" a shrug "Not as if there's a lot of woman more interesting than her anyway."
Adra smiled at the rather cute observation, and couldn't help but ask "Do your ever see her these days?"
"With this job? No way!" protested the teen-aged looking god sprawled in the grass "I'm not inflicting this to Ariadne! She's already suffered enough because of stupid wanna-be heroes!"
"Is it because of her that you hate heroes?" the green-eyed girl wondered
"I don't hate heroes." he protested
Adra answered by raising a dubious eyebrow.
"I don't." he repeated, a bit more soberly "What I can't stand is how careless, thoughtless they are." he gesture around him "Look at them all, training their brawn but never their brain, all too eager to get on some grand quest to prove his worth. They come back to Camp having half destroyed two towns, nearly died a dozen time and with scars that'll last the rest of their life, bu they are happy because they made daddy or mummy proud."
"That's because most of them don't know any better." Adra pointed out sadly "They never managed to adapt to the muggle world as they were always hounded by monsters there, so they tend to look down on them. And because the mortal world doesn't have anything to offer to them, all that's left to them is to cling to the fact that they have a godly parent. That they are different because they were born to be better than regular mortals."
Dionysus nodded his head – he knew that Adra wasn't wrong, he'd even stated much the same the first time he saw her… It didn't make it any easier to watch all those brats wasting their life under his eyes.
At least if he was allowed to drink he could think about something else!
"Beside, don't you think you're in the perfect place to change this?"
"Me?" the god protested with a snort "I'm not a teacher."
"You don't have the patience for it," his fellow goddess agreed easily enough "But you're still the Camp director. You are allowed to make change, and you've got one of the best teacher in the Greek world under your orders…" she pointed out "He's been doing the same thing for so long he tends to forget that time changes, but his soul is always crying for all the children gone too soon. You'd have a powerful ally in him." she said, eyes gleaming green and gold as once more she listened to the heart-breaking song of Chiron's soul
Whatever Dionysus was about to answer was stalled as he felt part of her powers for the first time – he sat in silence for a few moments before speaking again.
"You are far too reasonable for a goddess tied to Chaos." he pouted "And Adriane would quite agree with you." he admitted, before sighing "You're really going to make me work, uh?"
"You're going to do it yourself, because your not quite as self-centered and egoistical as most of your godly family." the goddess corrected with an amused smile – that grew larger at the scandalized look the answer earned her
"How did we get from my family's sex-life to the brats' education?" he commiserated, before calling "Chiron!"
The centaur Adra had gestured toward a moment before raised an eyebrow curiously, but came nonetheless – it was only once he was near them that he realized.
"Oh so not one of your children then, I had wondered," he admitted "but since you told me to leave it alone."
"Yeah, yeah, I was bored, and my little friend here," he ignored Adra's pout-shout of 'I'm not that small' "reminded me that there were plenty of hunting to be done in the area."
"I thought the stock were going down faster than usual." Chiron nodded, some light amusement in his eyes
"What would you need to make the brats less stupid?"
"Pardon?"
"The brats." Denys gestured around them at the kids racing in canoes not too far "They are stupid. They don't understand that the Mist can't make people they get kill in their adventures all better, that having difficulties to read means they have to stay fucking illiterate when we've got a full library in Greek in the Big House, that making their stupid godly parent proud won't suddenly make their life better!"
Chiron was quite used by now to read between the harsh words o the god that was sent to preside over the camp as a punishment – he'd gotten good enough at it that he'd understood with time, that Dionysus didn't really hate the half-bloods as much as he felt their situation hopeless. This was why, most of the time, he was like usual left alone to his device to try and take care of the children both ill-adapted to the modern-world and, most of the time, forgotten by their godly parent.
So he understood quite easily what Mr D was saying.
For the first time in a long time, he felt a spark of hope bloom in his heart.
¤.¤.¤
By the time they'd come back for their second summer at camp, Luke, Nico and Thalia, like most of the seasonal campers, had been stunned to witness the changes made to Camp Half Blood. Contrarily to the rest of the kids – they knew enough to realize that one way or another, their favorite protector and family member was behind it.
The changes weren't immediately apparent – the lavea wall-climbing, pegasus-riding and other activities were still there.
But Chiron had also put his hoof down, and established a set number of hours per weeks that all camper, no matter the Cabin, would have to go through.
Mist Manipulation, which quite a few of the brasher kids, like those of the Ares Cabin, tended to completely abandon, was now compulsory until the half-bloods could do themselves a set number of things – use the Mist to hide themselves from mortals while on a quest, to hide the result of a monster encounter, and so on…
Some had protested that the Mist already did most of this by itself – and Charon had had to remind them that letting the Mist work alone had never been the point – in was supposed to be like this only for children that couldn't do it themselves.
Most half-blood despised being told they were children, no matter their age, feeling that having fought and survived monsters for years should afford them a bit more of credit.
Chiron had already tried that, he blandly informed them – and they'd proven to lack any maturity to push to the side anything they thought to hard or uninteresting to learn only 'fun' topics. This camp was meant to teach them how to survive in the mortal world, and yet most of them didn't take advantage of being safe from the monster while there to do just this.
This, he pointed out, was why so much of them died young.
Not the monsters themselves, but the lack learning from the children.
After all, numerous heroes in the stories lived quite long and fulfilling – albeit dangerous life – since when had being a hero become synonymous with being doomed to die young? Did they believe so little in their own abilities and the gifts granted by their godly parents?
The moral lesson had been met with quite some grumble – but it hit home for a lot of the teenagers.
The more regular lessons were a strange change too – thought not unwelcome by all. Quite a few half-bloods hadn't even known there was a library in the Big House! Study hours were reinstalled, not too long as Chiron knew perfectly well how hard it was to stay still for a half-blood, but where instead of being arranged by Cabin, a tutoring system was put in place.
Nico, Luke and Thalia, used to the rather demanding standards of their family, and having the luck to live with wixen that could put translation charms on their books to make it easier for them, hadn't realized how much of their friends and fellow half-bloods had all but given up on their regular schooling, deeming themselves irremediably stupid.
The most important thing maybe – and one that clearly had needed Dionysus' influence, given that Chiron didn't have this kind of authority…
Was that in order to enforce those changes, the half-bloods had to go through tests at the beginning, middle and end of the summer session to check if they had learned anything.
Those that had difficulties were given more help – but more importantly, only those that achieved passing grade were put on a list in the Big House that had a magically updating copy up in Olympus… The list of heroes allowed to go on quests.
Given that this was most of the children main motivation in camp – this rule lit a fire under quite a few of them.
An introductory lecture about the wixen world, followed by a field-trip to the New-York magical district was also to be given by Dewin a few times a year. This had been among the hardest thing to wrangle for the god of wine – as like most half-bloods, the Greek children of Camp Half Blood didn't realize there were other pantheons in the world, something well-known in the magical world.
As such the lecture was opened only for the older half-bloods that were eligible for quests, and no mention of the other pantheons was to be made in said lecture…
Dewin had agreed easily, even if it meant not mentioning his own parentage, knowing that any half-blood that decided to spend a bit of time in the magical world would realize the existence of the other gods on their own.
The enchanter had also rranged with Chiron and Mr D a few time slots at the end of the summer and winter vacations during which he would come and take orders for hiding charms.
Those wouldn't be quite as effective as the ones he custom made in the magical district – but they would also be far more affordable, and he would be accepting both godly and muggle money for the payments.
The Black, Potter and Lovegood had also put a starting pot for the kids that really couldn't afford the hiding charms – that in years to come the older half-bloods and parents would always maintain.
Luke and Thalia, who knew quite well how useful the charms were, among the first half-bloods to put some of their personal money in the fund.
¤.¤.¤
Adra had encouraged one last change – this one only really felt by Nico himself…
She'd asked Persephone, which she'd seen a few more time since their unexpected encounter, and had gotten rather well along with, to explain a bit more about the necessity of a cycle between life and death to her children and all the satyrs.
The goddess had been rather stunned that it had been needed at all – sure, she hadn't been happy when Hades had kidnapped her, but that had been over two thousand years ago, and she did love her husband nowadays, and understood well how necessary his powers were.
But most of the minor spirits, and other half-bloods tied to an aspect of life and nature hadn't had this revelation. This combined with their instinctive feeling that Nico's powers were directly at odds with their own, meant that the satyrs, like most beasts around the camp, tended to give mistrustful glares at Nico and avoid him if possible, just like the children of Demeter and Persephone.
While the goddess couldn't do much about her mother's stubbornness, she did take the time to talk to her own children, and the satyr – that of course respected her deeply as the goddess of spring – without of course outing who Nico's father was.
Her children hadn't even realized what they were doing, had been rather apologetic, and while they did still tend to jump when the boy stepped out of nowhere, they had made a genuine effort to get past their first reaction…
Which had in turn led to Nico's first crush – and startling, for the boy, revelation he was gay – on Adrastos Green, a son of Persephone a couple of years older than him…
One the satyr's side of things, things hadn't worked quite that well – but after a few warning and reminders from Mr D, they'd eventually started to tone down their behavior enough that what had been one of the few downsides of being in Camp for Nico had all but disappeared by the end of their second summer.
¤.¤.¤
Of course, Adra and her family were also keeping in touch with all of the younger half-bloods all around the country.
By the time she was five, Annabeth, proving she was taking quite strongly after her mother, had realized all by herself that there was something different about her, and that it was linked to the fact her father was always reading her stories about Greek gods and heroes.
She had as such been the first among the young heroes to be told about the gods – their existence, and the fact that she was a demi-god and that this was one she'd started fighting lessons this same year.
Percy hadn't been far behind – while he didn't have the little girl's keen intellect, he mostly lived in the magical world, and true to his word he'd even seen his father a couple of times along the years. As such coming to realize that while he didn't have magic, he wasn't by any mean a muggle was rather easy – and from there, the logical conclusion that he must be a demi-god just like his step-father that had recently started to train him had been rather easy.
Not wanting to drop too many life changing fact on them at once, Adra had waited until the two young half-bloods had been well used to their new lessons and their knowledge about the gods, and responsible enough that she wasn't worried about what they'd get up too with such tool at the tips of their hands before inviting them to Chaos Game for each seventh' birthday.
She had herself gone through her Third Rite in the meanwhile, unlocking along the way the Recall System – that while not essential for he could be life saving for her heroes, along with a slew of new Perks.
[Third Rite unlocked
- Black House: +2 PERC, Black Battle Magic Understanding or Black Curse Understanding or Black War Magic Understanding unlocked
- Lovegood House: +2 PERC, Lovegood Divination Understanding or Lovegood Invocation Understanding or Lovegood Taming Understanding unlocked
- Moon House: +2 AG, Moon Killing Intent Understanding or Moon Parkour Understanding or Moon Strategy Understanding unlocked
- Peverell House: +2 FORT, Peverell Healing Understanding or Peverell Invocation Understanding or Peverell Transfiguration Understanding unlocked
- Potter House: +2 FORT, Potter Arithmancy Understanding or Potter Curse Understanding or Potter Transfiguration Understanding unlocked
- Ravenclaw House: +2 INT, Ravenclaw Rune Understanding or Ravenclaw Charm Understanding or Ravenclaw Arithmancy Understanding unlocked]
[New Perk unlocked
Black Magic Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to the chosen magic branch
Lovegood Magic Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to the chosen magic branch
Moon Battle Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to the chosen skill branch
Peverell Magic Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to the chosen magic branch
Potter Magic Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to the chosen magic branch
Ravenclaw Magic Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to the chosen magic branch
Available: 32 PP]
Adra had taken advantage of the multitude of perks to further her magical studies, knowing it would give her a rather substantial advantage once she entered Hogwarts.
Loki, that had fully intended to come with her to Hogwarts, had done so a couple of years ahead of her – and Adra knew it was far from unrelated to the fact that the Weasley twins had entered the school too. She just hoped Hogwarts was still standing by the time it was her turn to attend!
Carter was now a young boy – and had his hands full between his not-twin Zya and little Saddie, that was two years younger than him.
The trio of magicians were growing up knowing about the magical world, and the House of Life – though they kept away from it, them did have occasional news thanks to Amos that had stayed there and worked hard by the Chief Lector's side to make change reach them. While they didn't have access to the same magic as the wixen, they were progressing rather nicely in Egyptian more divine brand of magics…
The explanation had become rather apparent once Carter had unlocked Chaos Game at three year old – confirming that he, along with Saddie, had inherited a rather powerful affinity for the reiki used in Egyptian magic twice over thanks to the royal blood that ran in their body.
¤.¤.¤
During the years, Adra had seen real changes occurring though the pantheons thanks to what she had seeded.
The Norse, though they had taken some time to realize things were changing, had taken to it with the same gusto they did everything in their life.
Frey had visited Natalie a couple of time – and had been rather stunned to realize she now shared her life with both Hardwin and Ayesha… Not because they were three in their romance, but because he hadn't expected to meet another half-blood in the family.
Thor and his wife had finally started trying – and quickly managing – to have the two children they'd been waiting for, for so long.
Magni and Modi, in true godly fashion, were born on the summer solstice, and were already looking like teenagers by the winter one…
Thor had laughed, saying that he didn't mind missing on what he called the 'boring years' and starting their warrior trainning with relish… But Odin told them soon after that the reason he was spending so much time in the mortal realm was that the god had also fathered a half-blood – a baby he was spending quite a bit of time dotting on, despite his earlier claims.
While not all of the gods were ready to take up their duties of old just yet, Asgard was changing by the day.
New prophecies had been told, and while some told of doom knocking on the door and of epic battles to come, none was a depressingly precise as the legend of Ragnarok had been, giving new hope to both Aesir and Vanir for the future.
Among the Celts too, things had changed – had changed far earlier even, ever since Morrígan and Arawn had welcomed Pyxis in their home for the first time.
But now, the gods of the Sidh that hadn't faded were heading out in the mortal world once more, mainly among wixen, but not only – and there hadn't been that many Celts half-bloods, and blessings in many centuries.
Even among the Greeks, Adra knew that things were changing, thanks to her regular talk with both Dionysus and Hades, but also thanks to the tea-parties in the Sidh where Persephone was now invited, and even Hermes, who checked on the family from time to time.
Artemis had kept to her words, and there were several movements to protect nature and act against the climate change that Adrasteia remembered to have occurred decades later in her own worlds that had the goddess' mark quite clearly on them.
Apollo, after months of headaches and numerous new prophecies, had alerted the Olympians during the solstice gathering that had followed the Boston incident. Without surprise, Zeus had proved reluctant to admit that all had changed despite the numerous proofs to the contrary – but not all were so stubborn.
Several minor deities had taken to heart the fact that the old laws weren't being upheld anymore, and had claimed their half-bloods, and visited them.
While godly parents taking full-time care of their children was rather improbable – at least they now were able to be a part of their children' life. The main Olympians would have rather like to do the same – but Zeus may not really care about what the lesser gods were doing, he wouldn't be so indulgent with them they realized.
Rather amusingly, Aphrodite's reputation had gained a boost among the family once Persephone, present for the spring and summer months, had asked her about what she'd heard from Shadow.
"Oh darling," the goddess with her ever-changing face had laughed "Not everyone is ready for the great love of their life, and sometimes heartbreak is a great way to grow up." her hands waved around "Some mortals are so stubborn they stay together despite hating each other when they would be far better with someone else… So if I, or some of my children meddle a bit… More often than not it is for the best."
She smiled lovingly "And yes, I do love those heart-wrenching and heart-warming stories, and they don't all end well but…" a shrug "If we could make all mortals happy, they wouldn't have any free-will left, would they?"
She turned toward her husband "Take us for example. We're the prime example that forcing two people together for the wrong reason isn't a good idea. For how long did we tear at each other and made all around us suffer because of our doomed relationship?"
"You still do…" Apollo had been the one to point out
"Bah!" Hephaestus was the one to contradict "This is child-play!" he contradicted "Do you really think Ares would see so easily though my traps if they really meant him harm?"
"Or that his forges would still stand intact if I really wanted to destroy him?" the god of war had answered in kind
"We've made our peace with the situation a long time ago." the god of the forge said, smiling fondly at his wife "But while we do love each other, we'll never be in love with each other." Aphrodite nodded contentedly at that, before sharing a more heated glance with Ares, making Hephaestus laugh "Besides, with how resilient he is, Ares is the perfect test-subjet for my inventions!"
"And I always love a good fight, be it against machines." the god of agreed easily - making all wonder hwo they'd missed that the bloody rivalry had grown with time in a loud, rather unique form of camaradery
Athena, who always looked down on her fellow goddess, but also on Ares, which she felt was nothing but brawn without brains – had a look on her face as if her world had been turned upside-down.
Hermes, when he'd brought back the talk to the family, was still laughing.
Strangely – Adrasteia, with her talk with Hades, had inadvertently solved the jealousy problems that plagued most gods and goddesses when their other half fathered or birthed a half-blood. The only two still protesting her point of view, despite it having been confirmed by Aphrodite, being Zeus and Hera.
Like Thalia had said – those two were really so pig-headed they deserved each other.
ADRASTEIA LV 38 (9 YO)
BODY
Agility 10(26)
Strenght 8(13)
Endurance 10(12)
SPIRIT
Intelligence 10(21)
Wisdom 10(17)
Fortitude 9(24)
HEART
Empathy 11(13)
Perception 9(25)
Sociability 8(15)
LUCK 8(20)
PERK ACQUIRED (41PP spend, 14PP available)
Black First Rite (1PP): grants Easy Black Magic Potency (+10 to Easy Spells of Battle Magic, War Magic and Curse)
Moon First Rite (1 PP): unlocks Light Battle Aura (+10 to all damages)
Potter First Rite (1 PP): unlocks Sensing Skill up to 25 SP
Ravenclaw First Rite (1 PP): unlocks +10 to easy memory tests and +5 to Mentamancy Skill
Moon Aura (2PP): unlocks a battle aura that grants +10% to all damages when active, and drains 25 MP per minute active
Khonsou'Small Favor (2PP): grants Easy Shielding Magic Potency (+10 damages parried by Easy shield spells)
Thot's Small Favor (2PP): grants Easy Healing Magic Potency (+10 healing done by Easy spells of all Healing Schools)
Black Curse Magic Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to curse
Lovegood Divination Magic Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to divination
Moon Strategy Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to strategy
Peverell Healing Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to healing
Potter Transfiguration Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to transfiguration
Ravenclaw Rune Understanding (3PP): grants +10 to rune
Jack of All Trade (5 PP): +1 SP per level
Natural Genius (2 PP): double book learning rate (locks Hard Work Genius Perk)
A Father's Strength (5 PP):+5 to all Communication
Blood of the Pharao (5PP): unlocks all Egyptian Magics
Cyclop's Skin (2PP): +5 to Physical and Elemental Resistance
FIRST PATH - Mind(+10 and RP, +5 to SPIRIT MC, +10 to Magic Skills)