II - Tortured and Saved: Age 6

{A.N: Warning - Graphic Violence, Whippings, Torture, Domestic Violence}

My mother broke two laws by having me. First, there was a law that almost all civilizations have. A woman may never cheat on her husband. {A.N: Don't attack me this was Ancient Greece laws were very skewed against females.} The second rule she broke was one that was made by Ares himself, "Demigods of Sparta must all be children of Ares, or they will be seen as a bastard child." Anyone who broke that rule their child is to be sentenced to life in prison while the parent is sentenced to 75 lashes. Now she broke 2 rules. So my mother would have to sustain 50 more lashes. No one had survived more than 100.

My torture started by watching hers. It was two weeks later when the lashing was to happen. I had had little food and almost no water. My body was weak and frail as my former father grabbed me from the dungeon, placed me in chains, and threw me to the ground next to my grandmothers' throne in the main square. I looked up at her as she looked down at me sadly. I looked back at my mother and watched as guards brought her out. She looked horrible. Her eyes were red, and tears were running down her cheeks. She had a giant bruise on her cheek from where General Desmos had hit her. General Desmos walked down to her and grabbed her forcefully by the hair. Two guards came and held her arms, starting to tie her to the giant wooden stake in the ground. The General held up his hand to stop them. I watched as he raised his fist and hit her. And again. And again. I tried to stand up to tell him to stop, but my grandmother placed her hand on my shoulder. I looked at her. She had tears in her eyes. I winced and turned back to the middle of the square and saw my mother had been tied to the stake with her shirt torn off her back. A servant came out and handed General Desmos a whip. I wished it was me in there, not her. I knew she would die, and I knew that there would be no way to save her.

"I'm sorry," I whispered. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," I repeated those two words over and over again. This was the first time I had shown true weakness in 3 years.

My grandmother came down from her throne and sat on the step putting my head on her lap. "I know, I know, little destroyer,"

"Γιαγιά(Grandma) you can't, you'll get in trouble. I don't want them to hurt you too."

She just shook her head "It's okay my destroyer I will be okay,"

I looked up at her "Did you know?" I whispered. "Did you know I was a demigod,"

"I suspected," she responded.

"How?... How did you know?"

She looked away from me and at my mother. Her back was red with welts and scars as the 84th smack rang out. She was a mess, and her voice was shot. She was strong. She had lasted 30 without making a noise. On the 52nd she had started crying. By the 63rd, she was screaming from the pain. By the 84th, she was bloody and beat, and she looked nothing like my usual strong mother. My grandmother gazed sadly at her daughter.

"She's one too," she whispered.

I looked away from my mother shocked.

"She's what?" I looked at her, shocked.

"She's one too, A demigod" she whispered louder.

I didn't say anything, I just looked back at my mother. When they reached the 113th strike, her body gave out. I could tell she was dead. I don't know how, but I just knew. I looked up at my grandmother. "She is gone." I started crying into her chest. My grandmother had tears in her eyes, as well. Grandma turned her head and saw some guards with my grandfather coming to take me away.

She looked at them, "please, I need more time, let me say goodbye." she said in anguish.

My grandfather halted the guards with a hand and nodded. I looked back up at my grandmother as she hugged me. "I won't ever see you again, will I?" I cried. She clutched at me harder as if by holding me closer, she could have more time. I felt a sharp yank behind me from the chains holding my arms and found myself on the cold hard ground. I felt myself get lifted up, and as I was being dragged away, I looked back at my grandmother. "I love you," I mouthed.

"I know," she mouthed back.

As I was almost out of sight, I watched her hug my grandfather and let out a sob.

I wasn't held in the palace dungeons this time. No, I was held in the maximum-security prison where Spartans kept their most dangerous prisoners. Located off the coast of Sparta on a small island. I was a danger to myself and the people they said. And honestly, they were probably right. But I didn't care anymore. 2 days ago, My former father had officially disowned me from the family, 2 weeks before that, my mother was killed, and I just sat in this cage. I had given up all hope. My mother was dead, I had no family left to call my own. I woke up when I heard a bang as my door was unlocked, I was cold and in pain. I watched the door and General Desmos stepped through it. He walked up to me, and the first thing he did was punch me in the Jaw. I felt blood in my mouth and quickly spat it in his face.

"General, I feel honored to be graced with your presence," I said sarcastically.

He said nothing but pulled out a leather case that he unfolded to reveal a different assortment of knives and torture devices. "Are you ready… Boy," he spat. He grabbed a knife and walked toward me. Desmos reached toward my shoulder, grabbed it hard then shoved a knife deep into my chest.

3 Months later

(No one P.O.V)

Perseus hung from a wall limply. He had just had another round of abuse from his former father. He looked horrible. His bare feet were caked with grime and blood. His legs were covered in scars and bruises. His right shin was broken while his left leg was twisted in a way it should not be able to twist. He had a scar on his stomach from where Desmos had first stabbed him. Along his side, he had a scar that ran from his ribs to his spine. He had bruises on his ribs where his bones were clearly broken. On his left shoulder opposite the mark, there was a scar from another dagger. Across his chest, he had several slashes. On his back, he had been whipped multiple times. On his face, he had a broken jaw and bruises all over his face. The most noticeable mark was a scar that went straight from his temple to below his eye. His head was hung limp as he was asleep, and his now long hair hung in front of his eyes.

(Perseus P.O.V)

I heard a bang as my door opened. I started screaming hoarsely. "No, please, please don't hurt me anymore." I looked up wide awake, eyes wide with fear. A man stood in the doorway. I couldn't see his face, for it was covered with shadow. He stepped into the light.

This man was on the larger side. Maybe 6ft 6in had a small beard and long hair that was tied into a man bun. He had a kind face and a sword attached to his belt. "Why in Hades is a kid here," he muttered. He started to move away. I began to panic.

"Please… Help me." I whimpered.

He looked at me with sympathy in his eyes, he took out a key and unlocked my shackles then gently picked me up bridal style. "It's gonna be okay, kid."

I lost consciousness after that.

I woke up to the sound of arguing.

"He's just a kid!" I saw the kind, big man yell.

"A broken one!" a gruff voice responded, "only Apollo himself could heal those injuries," I blinked and looked around. I was on a ship. A well made one by the looks of it. "He's dead weight, throw him in the ocean," the voice said.

"Captain…"

"That's an order, will be doing the kid a favor he won't feel no pain anymore."

I felt the big man pick me up and carry me to the side of the ship." I'm sorry, kid." then he dropped me. I felt the wind pick up around me as I fell into the ocean. The last thing I remember was the murky blue depths and a voice...

A.N: That's Chapter 2 done again I hope you are enjoying my story. Also for future reference, I am an absolute giant Greek Mythology Geek. The reason I am letting you all know that is that I will definitely be adding parts to the story where I am either explaining a greek myth or am adding little bits of info that pertain to other greek myths. Finally, I am not great about noticing errors so if you guys see like a spelling or grammatical error let me know.

See you next time

- Lightningwolf18(I know my name is cheesy, I came up with it when I was 12)