Author's Note: Hello everyone! Happy Spring Break (for those in the US of A). A special for you all ...

A MEGA-CHAPTER!

I really want to get the war kicked off but I also wanted to set up some ground work for a few sub-plots and get Andy with Percy so I'll wrap that up with this chapter and the next! Lots of facts in this one and several surprises for you all (I think some people called a few things appearing, you know who you are!)

Plus: I keep forgetting to write this up. In this AU, there is NO EGYPTIAN or NORSE PANTHEON. Why? Because it will be explained later with some of my world building.

Good? Good.

Now, onwards with the story!

Disclaimer: Only plot is mine.


Several Days Later

The words of the priest fell over the gathered, their heads tucked down in solemn silence. Some were on their knees and hands clasped together, others standing close together, the men in darker clothes and most of the women in shawls. The large church was light with hundreds of small candles while the upper rafters remained bathed in shadows. Outside the ornate windows the pale light of the moon could be seen, a silent observer to this night service of mourning after tragedy.

Amongst the attendants was a woman standing near the back pews, her hands at her sides as she quietly observed the church goers. Her silvery-blue eyes looked over the fractured families in sadness, her platinum blonde, near silvery hair hidden under a black shawl like the rest. Her dress, a dark grey reaching past her knees, was immaculate and without the sign of even the slightest wrinkle.

The woman just looked on, never moving or so much as saying a word but there seemed to be this aura about her that gently soothed those within the church. It was like the cool and gentle light of the moon in a clear night and though none attending were aware, they left feeling lighter than when they arrived. It took another hour before most of the congregation left with the priest taking a few members off to the side to speak. This pair, a mother and young son by the looks of it, had been crying harder than most during the service and seemed to be mostly alone compared to the larger groups.

She sighed as she watched but then she noticed shuffling to her side and glanced to see what it was. She noticed it was a young man, likely in his twenties with near white hair slightly combed to the side, sharp and clean chin, intense blue eyes that she almost believed looked to have white electricity in them. He was dressed in a simple black suit and tie, looking similar to some of the men that had been in attendance but his presence clearly distinguished him. The woman immediately knew he was no mere mortal, the strength of his stance and aura around him clearly said as much, but she wasn't too sure what he was.

Not a monster as far as she could tell, perhaps a demigod? But one being this old and in the open, especially in the Old World would be next to suicide. She was so entrenched in her thoughts she hadn't realized she'd been staring for some time. The stranger turned his face to her as he cleared his throat, breaking her out of her musings. They locked eyes for some time until he finally spoke.

"You weren't easy to find … Selene."

She did her best to hide any outward reaction but internally she was starting to panic. How had she been found and by whom? She'd known that titans were disappearing and rumors of several gods as well, with the disappearance of Hestia being most notable. Thinking that a possibly hostile entity was after them, she'd been rather relieved that she'd been mostly to ground and almost no one knew where she was staying. She'd even avoided flashing, instead using mortal means of travel and yet, someone did in fact find her. And now she was wondering if this meant a fight was imminent but then the man slowly raised his hands in a placating gesture.

"Easy there, I'm not looking for any trouble … only an offer," he said but she still kept her wits about her, a silver dagger having discreetly formed in her right hand and out of his view.

"Who are you?" she asked with narrowed eyes and a low voice, still glancing around to the mortals but it seemed that the Mist had intensified enough to make them practically invisible to them. "… and how did you find me?"

"My furry friends have good noses," he answered in a more relaxed voice. "And you weren't as discreet with your movements as you thought."

"What do you want?" Selene asked with an edge to her voice, her grip on her dagger tightening.

"Like I said, I just wanted to give you an offer," he continued while even going so far as to tucking his hands in his pockets.

"And that would be …?"

"I belong to a certain … group," he began, his tone measured, "This group is offering sanctuary from the impending war coming. We already have a safe home established and has an open offer for gods, titans, and more." He then paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing for a moment in thought before he added, "Your mother and sister are already there."

"Theia and Eos?" Selene asked in surprise. She hadn't been the only titan to try to disappear after their 'release' thanks to the Jackson boy but still, to think they'd been found as well.

"Yep. They're there as well as plenty of other titans and gods as I'm sure you've heard thanks to all the recent disappearances."

"Yes …" Selene said softly she glanced down for a moment. "… But if you belong to the group that's been taking gods, with the one that took Hestia." Her grip on her dagger tightened to the point the leather of the handle was starting to tear. Memories of other wars, from before the time of the Olympians and after, memories of why enemy forces tended to want the women of their opponents … and this man said they had her mother and sister already. The thought of such a fate having befallen them made her blood boil. "How do I know this isn't a trick!" she hissed harshly before her hand moved.

In a silvery blur her hand came around, the point of her dagger screaming for blood. However, faster than she could see, his hand moved and caught her wrist. The stop was so sudden that the dagger tip wavered for a moment … less than an inch from the man's unfazed eyes. She openly gaped at him for a full ten seconds before she tried to pull her hand back but found that she couldn't. His grip was solid and he didn't seem to be straining at all.

"You're more … aggressive than I would have thought," the man commented while slowly forcing her daggered hand away from his face. "… Is that a moon goddess thing?"

"What?" Selene asked, the comment throwing her off completely.

It didn't seem to be what the man was expecting either as he just quirked an eyebrow before sighing and releasing her hand. Before she could do or say anything else he raised a hand to silence her. Once he was sure she would remain quiet he continued.

"Look, I know this is sudden but I'm giving you a genuine offer. You could really live and be with your family instead of hiding out in the dark corners of Europe." He then brought a pure white marble out of his pocket and held it out to her. "Just … think on it for a few days. If you end up deciding that you'll take my group up on the offer, crush the marble. Otherwise, throw it away and never look back. Hell, you could turn down the offer now and seek us out later if you want. We just thought giving you the offer now would be nicer than an Olympian tracking you down to draft you into their dwindling forces."

"How are you so sure they'll come looking for me?" she asked after some silence, now holding the marble in her palm and eyeing it warily.

"Because you are strong and the current moon goddess has to know you're out here somewhere. She might come look for you once she figures out her allies…" He ignored her scoff at the term 'allies' and continued on. "… are being taken and with reason. Besides, the Olympians are proud but if desperate enough they'll use unsavory methods to force services, especially now that there isn't a prophecy for them to fall back on and their strongest heroes are falling off the map. So either hang around on the off-chance that the Olympians come knocking or leave early and join your family."

He then turned and started to walk away but then paused and glanced back at her. "Tell me, do you by chance know where your brother is?"

Selene looked at him in the eyes for a tense minute, still wondering if his offer was genuine before replying, "I don't really trust to giving him away … but give me your name, I'll pass your message along."

That got a small smirk off the man before he said, "The name is Grace," and he kept walking.

"Grace?" she muttered to herself, wondering why the name seemed eerily familiar. It took her a second to get it as her eyes widened but by the time she looked again he was gone without a trace.

She scanned around but couldn't detect anything or anyone watching her. Only when she was sure did she allow herself to relax, finally allowing the dagger she'd had in her hand to disappear. 'One of the heroes … to think they'd be looking for me but what does it mean. A new war … with them? Just what is going on?' she wondered before looking at the marble in her hand again.

"I need to speak with Helios …"


With Medusa

Medusa calmly walked through the entrance of the Grand Temple, otherwise known as the Primordial Temple and location of the new council's throne room. She calmly strolled through the large archway leading into the building, giving polite nods to some gods and titans moving about their ways. 'Honestly with every day this place gets busier and busier,' she thought as she narrowly avoided a nature goddess running off with a list for some new plants to be arranged in the second district.

She smiled though as thought on all the progress being made thanks to the ideas of the new council. From now on, even if only part-time, every god actively participated in a job or practice. Most obviously sought jobs relatable to their domains and now thanks to having official Canadian citizenship, some gods were even going as far as setting up employment with mortals. Heck, Rhea was already working on setting up an official tree farm to subtly start to spread out blessed trees to increase the health of her domain. Obviously there were some gods grumbling about it but truthfully most of them had plenty of free time on their hands and they could use an outlet rather than causing mischief.

Another ruling by the council had been gods needing to take responsibility for their children and their mortal lovers. Failure to do so could lead to fines, community service, and in case of abuse, possible arrest or Andromeda stripping the offending god's ability to have children. Luckily no one had done anything demanding of more than a slap on the wrist and even some of the children from the orphanage have been adopted. 'Maybe I'll visit Leto and help around later today,' she mused as she turned down a hall leading to the main offices of the protogenoi.

However, as she turned she spotted Andromeda on her way to her office looking rather down trodden. That made Medusa frown and before she even thought about it, she'd already changed plans from meeting up with her master to speaking with one of her best friends. So, with a quickness to her step she followed up to the Love goddess, meeting her just before she closed the door to her office.

"Andy!" she called, making the goddess start in her direction.

"Medusa," Andy said softly with a forced smile. "Can I help you with anything?"

Medusa looked at her intently for a few minutes before saying softly, "Not really … but you look like you could use a friendly ear."

That made Andy's eyes widen but before she could try to deny anything Medusa pushed on.

"You're terrible at hiding your feelings Andy," she said before stepping closer. "What's wrong?"

Andromeda didn't reply immediately, instead leaning her head past Medusa to make sure no one else was in the hallways before suddenly grabbing Medusa's hand and pulling her in through the door with a startled squeak. Before she knew it Medusa was in the office and taking in the sights for the first time while Andy locked the door behind them.

"Huh … not what I expected," she muttered as she looked around.

Andromeda's office was a large library shaped as a tower made of white marble with the door in the bottom floor. She looked up and couldn't even see the ceiling with shelves upon shelves of tablets of all things. Each one was roughly 6 by 6 inches with a glowing heart icon on the edge towards the inside much like the barcodes. Fluttering around the library were hundreds of small birds of Paradise, Andromeda's chosen animals, each moving around tablets. Medusa watched the little birds work, noting the types of labels on some floors and shelves such as 'Mystic' or 'Mortal', than smaller divisions with gender, age divisions by generations, and country nationality.

"Like my system?" Andy asked her as she stepped up to look at her 'office' as well.

"I'm just impressed with how your mind works," Medusa replied.

She'd had it explained to her by Percy. These 'offices' were essentially physical representations of the mind of each primordial. With all the sheer input from their domains, regardless of how powerful and complex the minds of gods could be, they were bound to miss small details from time to time. That's why they created these offices to double check their domains and prioritize certain actions.

"Is that just because I'm a Love goddess?" Andy asked with a mock scowl. "Would it be better if there were nothing but clouds and pink balloons?"

"I didn't say anything?" Medusa replied innocently getting a small giggle from the goddess.

They remained in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Medusa sighed and asked again, "So Andy … what's bothering you?"

Andromeda didn't really reply other than letting her shoulders slump as her eyes became cloudy.

"It's … complicated," she mumbled as one of her birds landed on her shoulder and started to nip at her cheek affectionately getting a small smile out of the goddess.

"Andy …" Medusa whispered as she placed a reassuring hand on her free shoulder and squeezed softly.

Andromeda took a shuddering breath before finally relenting, looking at Medusa with watery eyes.

"I … I love him …"

"Who?" Medusa asked with a frown, trying to think of anyone she'd seen Andromeda look at in particular but nothing came to mind.

"…P…" Whoever it was Andy mumbled the name too low for Medusa to catch.

"Who?"

"Percy," Andy squeaked out before turning her face away while her bird squawked while nearly falling off from the sudden movement.

Medusa for her part looked at the goddess in confusion before going on. "Well duh, I would assume you love him, pretty much everyone does."

"No!" Andy snapped with more strength while looking back at Medusa. "I love him!"

It took Medusa a few seconds before it finally clicked, leaving her to blink owlishly before murmuring, "Oh … I see."

Andromeda hung her head in defeat after that before nodding slowly.

"And let me guess. You can't bring yourself to tell him, right?" she asked, getting another nod from Andy. "Are you scared that he might not return the feelings? Can't you like, check beforehand?"

"It's not that simple," Andy replied as she started to scratch her bird's head softly. "Primordials are different to all other beings. Our thoughts and actions are beyond prediction unless the emotions are incredibly strong or dead set for a very long time. That's why there aren't any prophecies for us or for Nyx when she contacted Percy. The Fates aren't all knowing and they can't directly see what a primordial will decide and the repercussions of those decisions."

"So they could see Gaea's doom since she was planning her war for millennia," Medusa said with a thoughtful look as Andy nodded.

"Yeah and even then the prophecy didn't pan out since Gaea didn't fall to storm or fire. But the point is that I can't read his emotions either … at least, not if he isn't aware of them himself or hides them," she said as she walked towards one of the shelves as her bird fluttered away. "I can say without a doubt that Percy, Rhea, and Hestia are all absolutely in love with each other since they don't hide it in any way but I can't tell if his love for me is more that of sibling love. And if I tried to check, he would feel it."

"And you can't ask him to let you search around a little?" Medusa asked as she followed after her. "I'm sure he wouldn't have a problem with it."

"Because it's a two-way street and he might feel my emotions too," she replied. "And then what if he finds out I love him but he doesn't return those feelings?" she asked with a slight quiver in her voice.

"But he might," Medusa persisted only for Andy to lower her head again.

"It … it isn't just love that I want," she mumbled.

"Well, what else is it? Andy, you need to tell me if you want me to help at all," Medusa persisted getting the goddess to look at her in the eyes.

They stared for a few minutes in tense silence before Andromeda took a shuddering breath and then went on to explain everything. How her love had turned from sibling to romantic, how her domains had all focused on Percy, much to Andy's embarrassment about wanting kids with him which got a snort and a good luck from Medusa. However, any teasing Medusa might have had planned flew out the window the moment Andy explained the effects of holding herself back were having for her. Still, it seemed to her that Andy needed something positive to think about so she tried to push the conversation along.

"You don't seriously think he would treat you any differently even if he didn't return your feelings right?" Medusa asked softly. "I mean, come on. It's Percy we're talking about here."

"Still …" Andromeda mumbled as she absently reached for a tablet and checked a screen displaying some guy with a blue heart icon.

Medusa watched silently as Andy tapped some icons and used her finger to write some things in before raising the tablet and letting one of her birds whisk it away. She watched the bird fly off to one of the higher levels with it before spotting three entire floor that was labeled 'BLACK LISTED', with all the heart icons being solid back and even some looked cracked.

"The Black List," Andy commented as she noted where Medusa was looking. "Those are the people who have caused irreparable damage to my domains of Love and Procreation." At Medusa's silent look the goddess continued. "It's for those that have murdered the innocent … and those that have committed rape."

Medusa swallowed thickly as she tried in vain to even count the tablets. They were also divided and she could see similar markers to the regular floors but still, the sheer number.

"How many?" she asked softly.

"Tens … of thousands," she replied with a clearly disgusted growl in her voice. "And because of the Ancient Laws I can just will for all of them to spontaneously combust or something."

"You could go one by one and hunt them all down though," Medusa replied with a shrug before asking. "Are you already working on creating a guardian or vassals to safeguard your domains?"

At that Andromeda's eyes widened before she nodded shyly, which caused Medusa to narrow her eyes.

"Can I see what you have?" Medusa probed as Andy nervously tapped her fingers together.

"Okay just … don't tell anyone," she said softly as she started to walk to one of the walls as a set of stairs materialized leading to the second floor.

Medusa followed behind as she watched the goddess, wondering what it was that was making her so nervous now. She let her thoughts stew as they arrived and Medusa saw a new door appearing between some shelves but this one looked oddly science techy with even a damn scanned and number pad on the side. She watched in amusement as Andromeda tapped a ridiculously long number code and then placed her hand on the scanner.

The door then slide open with a loud hiss, a fine mist billowing out making Medusa gawk at the goddess and said goddess glancing back at her with a giggle.

"Are you becoming a mad scientist or something?" Medusa asked as they walked into the currently dark room … which was odd considering Medusa should be able to see in absolute darkness.

"No but I heard Styx has a similar lab in her office and there were a few explosions when she was experimenting with her lava," Andromeda answered while Medusa snickered.

"Okay but what is it you have in here?" Medusa asked as she still couldn't see anything and they were well into the darkened room already.

"… Fine …" Andy finally relented before the lights suddenly sprang up making Medusa blink away the little lights in her eyes.

Once she readjusted her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates with her mouth hanging open.

"Yeah … I thought you might react like that," Andy sighed while Medusa remained silent.

In the large lab room, at the very center on a raised platform was a large pillar made of some unknown, lilac crystal. Surrounding the pillar were several monitors and screens, tables with notes, and even a table with vials of odd liquids and some tools commonly found in medical rooms. However, what really had Medusa's attention was what was currently inside the pillar. There, floating in a light pink and translucent liquid was a naked girl that looked to be about 17. She was slightly less than Andromeda's height, around 5'7 or so with a curvy, just shy of busty figure, long legs, and long flowing black hair. Her skin was tan and flawless, with her face having a small buttoned nose and high cheek bones on a heart shaped face.

Medusa looked at the girl intensely for over a minute before looking back to Andy, and then back to the girl. The resemblances were uncanny to the Love goddess but she wasn't the only one Medusa was finding similarities to. In fact, as Medusa peered closer she could just make out a slight tip of fangs bumping out from the relaxed lips. 'Cute … looks just like when he …' Medusa's thoughts stopped as she went ramrod straight and slowly turned to look at the fidgeting goddess trying to look as innocent as possible.

"Andromeda … Xena … Jackson …" Medusa said slowly as Andy flinched with each one of her names called.

"…Y-yes?"

"Care to explain to me your … guardian … looks like you and Percy?" Medusa asked as she starred down the goddess, hands on her hips.

"I … I …" Andromeda stammered for a minute before taking a deep breath. "You know how creation for gods work right?"

"You concentrate your pure divine power and mentally build from the ground up, usually adding traits and influences from either your domain or with the permission of another god for other domains. Poseidon created the horses and then to appease his brother from an argument, got permission to use the Sky domain before adding wings to create the Pegasus … otherwise Zeus would have shot every single one out of the sky," she recited with ease.

"Right … and if the creation has a god's blood?" she continued while looking more and more nervous by the minute.

"It makes the difference between the creature being mortal or immortal and adds a higher influence or affinity for certain domains … and could add abilities similar to their parents," she answered instantly.

"Okay, well," Andromeda paused for a moment as she collected herself while Medusa started tapping her foot. Then, in one quick breathe Andy answer.

"MyProcreationDomainwasalittlewildandIwantedtoconsiderhermydaughersoshehasmybloodandPercy's!"

"… What?" Medusa asked after trying and failing to decipher what the goddess said for a minute.

Andromeda wringed her hands for a bit before taking another breathe and answering in a calmer voice.

"Percy had already given me his blood with his permission to use the influence of Night but my Procreation Domain was acting up when I was shaping her," she said pointing to the slumbering girl. "So I might have changed her from being an avian of some sort to being mainly humanoid and since she also comes from my blood."

"She's your daughter … with Percy's," Medusa finished as Andy nodded slowly.

"…"

"… You do realize that if Rhea and Hestia find out your ass is grass right?"

A nod.

"Oh good … I call dibs on your wolf plushy."

"…"

"So care to explain why was it that you lost control of your domain for a moment that lead to this?" Medusa asked as she finally looked away from the goddess and back to the sleeping immortal.

She heard Andy sigh before explaining. "It wasn't intentional, it's just that when I found him to ask for his blood, he was visiting Leto's orphanage. He gave it to me no problem but then I stuck around and watched him playing with the kids and …"

There was a high pitched squeal getting Medusa to glance back at the excited goddess.

"I just … I couldn't stop picturing him with kids afterwards … and I was daydreaming about what kids between us would look like."

"Okay … so she satisfies one of your domains?" Medusa asked getting a nod from the goddess. "So what can she do? What's her purpose?"

That got a scowl from Andy so Medusa quickly backtracked a little.

"Not like that! I know, you just said that she's your daughter even if she didn't grow inside you. I just meant that you still must have given her a purpose if you've taken the time to slowly create her."

That seemed to pacify the goddess enough for her to explain as she walked past Medusa and laid a hand against the pillar. Medusa also noted that the girl twitched at the contact to her container meaning she could probably feel her mother's presence.

"She'll be the first of my own form of Hunters," Andromeda explained as she carefully looked at her sleeping daughter. "They'll hunt after those that have been Black Listed and end them in my place."

"So like Percy's wolves getting free reign to rip apart poachers and other possibly unsavory company within their territories," Medusa commented as she stepped closer as well.

"Mmhm," Andy hummed as she tapped one of the screens showing a heart rate and other readings. "Yes and to do it I gave her a variety of abilities. She is strong enough to overpower any human and most demigods but her focus will be speed and agility. Thanks to Percy she'll have excellent senses and have more energy during the night."

"Wait," Medusa interrupted as she looked at the goddess. "So you just recreated and perfected the vampire?"

"What? No, she isn't a vampire," Andy retorted but then Medusa pointed at the fang tips visible. "That's probably inherited from Percy, now let me finish!" she huffed before taking a moment to get back into her lecture mode. "Anyways, that's as far as her abilities inherited through Percy's blood should go. On my end I gave her the ability to sense emotions related to my domain so she can easily pick out those that are Black Listed, can manipulate her age like me, and she has the ability to see fantasies."

"What?" Medusa asked only for Andy to scowl at her more. "Sorry."

"What I mean by that is that she can see a person's most hidden desires making it difficult to lie to her and play on that to get close to them. Seduction is a powerful weapon and a good majority of her targets will be easier to disarm if you play on their hidden desires."

"So she'll be a master seductress and assassin," Medusa wrapped up.

"Essentially," Andromeda agreed with a nod before she got a pensive look. "Thing is … I'm not sure if I should even awaken her."

"Why not?" Medusa asked with a frown before she paused to think about it.

Sure, in a way Andy went behind Rhea and Hestia's backs to have a child with Percy which would certainly raise a few issues. But then again, though it was a cold way of looking at it, this girl isn't Percy's first born. Though true that their council was completely unorthodox with its ruling and laws, they still held themselves to some standards reminiscent of past monarchies thanks to their tutoring with the past protogenoi. Even though they had two queens, everyone on the council still knew that Rhea was First Lady in a sense and held that authority. Sure, on a personal and relationship level both Hestia and Rhea were equal in Percy's eyes, but in their court of law Hestia still differed to Rhea.

Being that case, it was an unsaid fact that Rhea would carry Percy's firstborn … unless Percy made sure to get both queens pregnant on the same night and leave it up to who was born first. Knowing him he just might actually but the issue was that how this new child would be seen? Medusa knew neither Rhea nor Hestia would hold ill will or try to harm the girl but that would do little for possible feelings of betrayal. Not to mention this girl could put Percy on the crosshairs depending on how he viewed her which would undoubtedly be like a proper father.

"I see the problem …" Medusa mumbled softly as some more thought as Andromeda nodded gravely. "… But I still think you should awaken her … and tell all three of them."

"What!?" Andy nearly shrieked as she looked at Medusa in shock. "Are you crazy!?"

"But hiding it will only hurt in the long wrong and besides, if you don't awaken her, what will you do?" Medusa countered. Andy paused to try and find an argument but Medusa didn't let her. "She's already created and obviously alive. What? Are you going to lock her away forever?"

"No!" Andy snapped but Medusa kept the pressure.

"Then are you going to kill her? Toss her in Styx's lake to make sure her essence is destroyed forever?"

Andromeda gasped in horror at even the idea while Medusa pointed at the girl.

"She's your daughter so are you going to give her the chance to live or not?" she asked heatedly.

Andromeda remained silent for some time as Medusa continued to watch her, wondering where the goddess' thoughts were going at the moment. She didn't think Andy would actually consider disposing of her daughter in any shape or form but then again the situation was rather precarious. Still after nearly five minutes of silence Andy sighed as her shoulders slumped.

"I don't know."

Medusa pinched the bridge of her nose in irritation before forcing herself to calm down. It wouldn't do to go on shouting at the obviously distraught goddess. From what she could see, it would be cruel and unrealistic to ask Andy to get rid of the girl but at the same time, if she did awaken the girl now of all times, the reactions would be the worst.

"That's it!" Medusa snapped as she grabbed Andy's hand and started to drag her out of the room. She would have preferred to shadow travel them but being in the office connected to the mind of a primordial, no form of teleportation would work unless one had express permission by said god.

"Where are we going?" Andy asked, putting up little resistance even as they left the lab room with the slumbering immortal.

"To find Rhea and Hestia," Medusa answered, giving an extra tug as Andy suddenly pulled back in shock.

"Why?" Andromeda asked in confusion as she slowly started to put some resistance, knowing that Medusa was nowhere near actually strong enough to pull Andy anywhere if the goddess didn't want to.

"Because you don't have the luxury to hide this and wait for a better time," Medusa said as they arrived again at the bottom floor before turning around to face the apparently confused goddess. "Andromeda … we are declaring war in little more than three weeks. The Olympians have already noticed Ares being absent and are definitely starting to notice the shifts in power. Once Phoebe stops cloaking the mountain from their senses, they will send demigod and monster forces after us. We on the other hand do not have an army but a select group of warriors and their personal forces to fight this entire war. Warriors including you, me, and the majority of the council. The last thing we need is you basically driving yourself mad by denying yourself and then upsetting the queens too. We need to be united even if that means facing the music now."

That broke whatever resistance Andy had been trying to dig up as the goddess bowed her head in acknowledgement. Medusa nodded as she continued to lead the goddess out of her office and they quickly arrived at the door leading out but before they could they were startled by a sudden knocking.

"Were you expecting anyone?" Medusa asked with a glance to Andy.

"No …" she replied as she narrowed her eyes for a moment. "… But its Jason."

Without further ado the door swung open to reveal said god dressed in a white button shirt and faded jeans, his drakon leather boots gleaming as if freshly polished. Medusa though noted a slightly hollow look in his eyes which made her frown marginally, though she remained quiet as the god stepped closer. He did a quick scan of the library before focusing on Andromeda.

"Hey Andy …" he said softly before glancing to Medusa. "… Medusa."

"Jason," the pair replied together before quieting down to wait for what the primordial needed of them, or more specifically, Andromeda.

"So," he started as he ran his head through his hair. "I was wondering if … if you could do a check for me before I head out for that mission."

Medusa raised an eyebrow in curiosity before looking to Andy but the goddess gave her a 'later' look.

"Are you sure?" Andy asked with clear concern even as she flagged down one of her birds.

"Yes," he replied with a slight slump to his shoulders. "It needs to be done. You know as well as I do that the oceans are the only dangerous place for us right now. If we don't want this war to draw out for decades then we need to destabilize Atlantis"

"But … of all the ways to do this," Andy started but Jason interrupted.

"And this would get the results the fastest."

Andromeda looked a little annoyed with him but pushed it off with a sigh as she took a new tablet from one of her birds. Medusa noted that this tablet had a gold marker meaning 'Mystic' or godly but what was strange about it was that the heart at the edge wasn't the more common pink or white or the rare gold as most of the other tablets. This one was a deep blue and most alarmingly had actual cracks running through the little heart. Then, as Andromeda tapped the screen to life, a name appeared which surprised Medusa as she leaned closer to see.

"Still heartbroken," Andromeda said with her own sad sigh before tapping the screen to make it go dark and handing it to her waiting bird. "She'll be susceptible enough if you know how to behave," she added with a grimace of distaste that Jason mirrored before he nodded and turned around.

As he started to walk he paused when Andy spoke up.

"Jason … why did you volunteer for this mission?" Andy asked softly as the retreating god stiffened.

He remained silent for a minute before he asked, "Tell me … what is Eos feeling for me right now?"

That made Andy frown but she still signaled to her birds nonetheless. In less than a minute she had another different tablet, also with golden markers and glowing red hearts. She tapped them to get a quick read and frowned before giving the tablet back and looking to Jason's back.

"Well, to put it bluntly, horny and wondering how to get you in her pants."

Jason nodded without looking at them. "I thought as much." He then continued walking and soon left the office, the sound of the door closing echoing throughout the tower.

There was silence for several minutes before Medusa looked to Andy. "What was that all about? I didn't know there were any other missions going on besides securing contacts with the Canadian and possibly British government and bringing in a few more of the stronger titans like Selene and Helios."

"It was part of the council discussion last night," Andromeda answered as she frowned at the door. "Like Jason said, the oceans are dangerous for us right now. Poseidon has a full kingdom and army, not to mention that Oceanus wasn't caught again, and then there's them," she practically growled making Medusa flinch as the slight building of divine pressure around the goddess. Luckily she reigned it in quickly but not before thoroughly reminding Medusa that though she was strong enough to fight gods, she still held no candle to any member of the council. "But any kingdom will always have those discontent with the rulers over time, especially with the history of violent take overs prevalent in our particular history. Jason simply volunteered to sow more seeds of doubt and mess up their Sea Court."

"So he's willingly going to find her and try to seduce her?" Medusa asked incredulously. That wasn't at all like the Jason she'd come to know in the years spent training together.

"I wish he hadn't … but he might be one of the few who can. She's never personally met him so she won't recognize him plus, as much as it saddens me to say, he's one of the few that might be able to relate to her," Andy explained. "Even after what Hemera said, he's still keeping his heart closed off to Love and I'm guessing something went on with Eos that made it worse."

"But how could Eos make it worse?" Medusa asked. "I mean, she's so warm and bubbly and soothing … like the mornings!"

Andy snorted at the reference to that goddess' domain before continuing. "Yes and I thought hanging out with her could help Jason and it was for a while but, well, it looked like she was more of a fangirl than genuinely interested. I hadn't really checked up until now but it was pretty obvious that she was feeling more lust than anything and Jason already had to deal with that during his hero years, especially after the wars. With his own heart break and then all that attention for the wrong reasons, I guess he's starting to give up hope on finding that special someone that wants him for him."

Medusa remained silent at that, looking to the door as well, before sighing and then returning her attention to Andy. "Okay … well it's his decision in the end and as long as he can live with it, we can't really comment. As for you, we still have two queens to speak to."

Andromeda groaned but didn't put up a fight as Medusa continued to drag her on. She was not looking forward anymore to this conversation than the goddess was but it needed to be done soon, otherwise things might only get worse for Andromeda and then spill over to the council as well…


With Rhea

Rhea sat on her throne as she slowly tapped a finger on the arm rest, her face giving away nothing as she looked down as Andromeda, still in mortal height, and the meek and quiet Medusa standing next to her in silent support. Rhea glanced to the equally stoic Hestia sitting on her throne off to the side with Percy's throne between them. As for the king himself, he was currently with Lupa and checking on something with his wolves in northern Norway.

She'd listened silently as Andromeda had come to them with the egging on of Medusa to explain her plight to them. Whatever good mood she'd previously had for the day went up in smoke and now her throat felt dry as she contemplated her fellow goddess. Andromeda kept her head tilted down and barely dared to make any eye contact as she squirmed under their gaze. Right now it wasn't a friendly atmosphere. This wasn't Rhea and Hestia, two of the warmest and friendliest goddesses that gave a comforting presence with smiles and care, the ones anyone could approach for a friendly ear and support. This was Queen Rhea and Queen Hestia, firm rulers and fighters hardened in the flames of war and millennia of backstabbing politics.

Queens capable of making hard decisions if needed, rulers willing to offer in equal parts mercy and safety to those truly deserving of it … or being the executioners to those beyond redemption. And right now, they were the wives that just had a goddess ask them to willingly allow their king and husband to cheat, going against his vows sworn to Styx and Chaos herself. Rhea wasn't sure about Hestia, but her own initial reaction that she'd mercilessly stomped down when Andy explained what she wanted from Percy had been to snarl and put the goddess in her place.

She didn't care at the moment that this was Andromeda, Percy's sister that she helped raised and loves, the girl that had helped them in their own romance. Right now she was feeling slightly hurt and almost betrayed that Andromeda had grown feelings for Percy, even if it really wasn't her fault. She was also angry at the suddenness of the situation. Why couldn't have Andromeda approached sooner and slowly brought up that she was growing feelings for Percy so that Rhea could have given it time and adjusted instead of suddenly all but barging in and passively pleading to sleep with Percy.

She could feel how her jaw tightened at the thought as her eyes narrowed to slits. She knew she was both territorial and possessive, there was no denying that. It hadn't been easy coming to terms with knowing at first that she'd have to share Percy and a large part of her willingness to share had been knowing that Percy had genuine feelings for Hestia beforehand even if he hadn't been aware. She would have never willingly harmed him by forcing him to choose and even until Hestia had actually arrived, Rhea had her doubts about it all even if she wanted Percy to be happy.

But now her temper was high and she was doing all she could to keep her nails from turning into gleaming claws capable of tearing apart even the toughest drakon scales. She gave a side glance to Hestia, impressed with how calm the goddess looked even if Rhea could see the slightest wisps of steaming drifting off Hestia's head and shoulders. Deciding that she couldn't trust her voice at the moment she sent a mental probe at Hestia to open a private conversation with her. It took merely a second before the communication was established.

'So … how are you feeling about this?' she asked tightly even within her mind.

'Holding it in for now,' was the response. 'I … I don't want to be angry with her … it's just …'

'I know, I feel it too. But what do we tell her for now?'

'Well I'm certainly not going to just smile and say go ahead right now. In fact I really want to say the opposite and not in a very nice way either,' Hestia quipped back as she glanced to Rhea.

'So what? Send her away for the moment?'

'It may be for the best … otherwise we might say or do something that we'll really regret. Not to mention it will hurt Percy if we do.'

Rhea mentally sighed before nodding and cutting the connection as she returned her full attention to Andromeda, noticing for the first time that the young goddess' eyes were getting watery as she still looked at the floor. Rhea knew Andromeda could feel the anger rolling off them and was probably assuming the worst … and Rhea wasn't sure if her assumption was unfounded at the moment. So she took a deep breath before speaking, her tone steady yet cold.

"I'll be honest Andromeda, I'm not happy about this. I can't say yes …" she raised a hand as Andromeda finally looked up at them, the hurt clearly in her eyes but she remained silent. "… I'm not saying no either. Not at the moment anyways but you've given us a lot to think about so I think it's best that you give us some space for a while."

She didn't say any more as Andromeda nodded weakly before slowly turning, whispering something to Medusa, and then flashing away back to their home above the planet. Medusa gave them a meek look before dissolving into shadows as well, leaving the queens alone for the time being. They remained quiet for a minute or two before Hestia waved her hand to erect a barrier locking in sound and from anyone entering the throne room. It wasn't by any means a barrier strong enough to stop any of the other council members from entering but it did send the message 'Private conversation' loud and clear.

It took another minute or so before Hestia broke the tense silence … and not in an expected way. She all but roared as she slammed her hand on her armrest as the flames in the hearth erupted like a geyser, turning the throne room into an oven but Rhea didn't really care at the moment. She focused on keeping the Earth steady lest she unleash all manner of earthquakes across the globe even though she could feel a few active volcanoes getting more active. The hearth kept raging for a while as Rhea trained on her breathing, willing herself to calm down as Hestia finally started to settle as well.

Looking at her sister wife now, Rhea noted how feral she looked with her newly gained fangs displayed in a vicious snarl, her crimson glowing eyes and steaming red tips of her hair, her dainty nails having elongated into scarlet talons with the slightest fringe of scales along her knuckles. Rhea's own claws had finally come out in their golden glory and she could feel how her hair had become wilder to resemble that of a mane. 'Between the two of us throwing a tantrum we could level most of human civilization,' she thought darkly as they reigned themselves in, Hestia looking as tired as Rhea suddenly felt.

"What are we going to do?" Hestia asked softly after her draconic features had receded and the hearth had returned to normal.

"I don't know," Rhea replied as she looked at her lap.

"But we have to do something, not ignore this," Hestia continued as she got up and slowly started to pace the throne room. "You heard it yourself. Her domains are acting up and it's starting to affect her."

"I know and I get that … it's just," Rhea stopped as she looked at Hestia. "There is more to this than letting Percy cheat to sate Andromeda's needs."

"He wouldn't anyways," Hestia said. "His loyalty is still his defining feature, even if he doesn't give it away like free candy anymore. And his sister needs him …"

"She wouldn't be his sister if they went that way. Not to mention it isn't as easy or simple as it was with you and me being lovers as well as sister wives. You and I spent a grand total of twelve hours being mother and daughter. One when you were born, spar minutes in the rare times we met during the war and even that was at a distance, another one or so after the war before the titans were locked away, and that one dinner in the House of Night. It was weird at first but we didn't have anything in the past to go on," Rhea cut in sharply. "Percy and Andromeda on the other hand have decades being siblings and unlike Andromeda, Percy isn't a Love god capable of having his feelings shift like hers. And we don't know if he even feels like that towards her so even if we allowed it, who's to say he would actually go through with it."

"But we know that Percy is always willing to help those that need him. Even if he doesn't feel like that towards her, he still would just to help her," Hestia retorted.

"Yes and he would make himself guilty. You saw how serious he was with his vows to us, to remain faithful and caring. Even if we pushed him to do it, and that is a very big if, he would still berate himself for touching another woman, not to mention he was never the sort of guy to go with a one night stand."

"But it wouldn't be a one night stand," Hestia replied as she paused to look at the hearth. "All of us need to connect with our domains and give in fully at least once to all the emotions and concepts connected to them but being separated from our domains can be just as bad."

"Yes and I don't know whether that makes it better or worse," Rhea said as she rubbed her temple.

"There something more about this bothering you, isn't there?" Hestia suddenly asked making Rhea snap her head up to look at her. "You got too angry, too quickly. I saw how you almost lashed out within minutes of Andromeda asking to be with Percy before she explained why. So, what's bothering you in particular?"

Rhea held her gaze for a while as she thought about it. Sure, it was millennia in the past but it would seem that it was relevant again. She sighed before nodding and then beginning to explain.

"I once dealt with similar things back in my tenure as queen of the Titans. First of all I was given like some damn prize to Kronos by my mother …"

"And now both have faded," Hestia quipped with a predatory smirk which Rhea mirrored.

"Thankfully but at the time, I tried to appease mother and make do with it. However, because of that I was basically docile and submissive all the time which lead to several … issues." Hestia raised an eyebrow before motioning for Rhea to go on. "Kronos was a controlling and jealous ass. He felt entitled to me and wouldn't allow me to even get close to other men on friendly means, however he only really paid attention in his bouts of jealousy, otherwise he was content to have me home while I knew he was off bedding whatever slut opened up for him just because he was king."

Rhea took a pause to collect herself and retract her claws as the memories surfaced.

"It hurt, knowing I was doing so much for him only to be tossed aside like that but I tried to tolerate it. However, what really started to piss me off was that some of those women actually had the nerve to parade the fact that my husband preferred their company to mine. Even if I wasn't egotistical, it still hurt to know I was a laughing stock that couldn't keep her own husband in her bed, that I wasn't even properly respected beyond being cordial on important events while tolerating every back-handed insult sent my way," she growled as she got up and started pacing.

"Even got to the point that I actually snapped and nearly beat to death one goddess … she certainly wasn't receiving compliments on her beauty again," she added darkly. "But now it might just start again …"

"What do you mean?" Hestia asked with a tilt of the head.

Rhea sighed while running a hand through her hair. "What I mean is that you, me, the council, what we do has more significance that just our laws and maintaining our domains. We may not like it but we are also keyed into the politics of the Mystic world now and soon the Mortal world. We have to maintain certain stances and behavior from now on, otherwise we might appear weak."

Noting Hestia's frown Rhea continued on will looking her sister-wife in the eyes.

"Let's be realistic here. We didn't create Mount Cartier and this city from the pure goodness of our hearts and every single resident of the city should know that. It is a power move, a declaration, and a foothold for what comes next. The same as not all the gods coming here are because they believe in us or for a Utopia. They saw the play at hand and followed along for their own reasons whether it was safety, a chance to increase their own position, or a thirst to watch Olympus burn. Regardless, they are just as many selfish reasons as there are altruistic and at the center of it all is the council. We rule by example, and if that means being cold and ruthless if the situation demands it, then so be it."

Rhea paused as she sat back down on her throne and fixed Hestia with a hard look.

"So what happens if we draw back and allow Andromeda what she wants? What's to stop other goddess, and you know there are several, from trying as well? And what's worse is that we would have to tolerate the behavior as long as they don't actually do anything unless we want to make ourselves out to being jealous bitches."

"But it would be known why Percy had to do it," Hestia interjected only for Rhea to shake her head.

"It wouldn't matter. Gods can be just as flawed and selfish as any mortal. Remember, give an inch, they take a mile. It would send a message that we aren't equal to our king, that we are simply his, and he is free to do as he wishes. Even with the reasons it would paint us in the same light as Zeus, Hera, and Aphrodite. The king taking what he wants, the queens in this case being forced to bear with it in resignation, and the slut using her domain as an excuse to bed whoever she wants." Rhea raised her hand to stop Hestia from interrupting. "It doesn't matter if that isn't the truth, gods are petty and they will gossip just to entertain themselves. Why do you think Percy had been planning with Nyx for decades how to keep the gods busy rather than letting them be a population of lazy, overpowered and overfunded college students running around and causing havoc with their terrible birth control? We hate it but the fact of the matter is that appearance matters now."

"And accepting Andromeda will have consequences beyond just her relationship with Percy," Hestia agreed as she actually sat of Percy's thrown to sit next to Rhea.

They both felt Percy's consciousness pass over them to check before leaving again, knowing he was fine with them sitting on his throne from time to time.

"Yes … and we have to consider if those consequences are worth it or not," Rhea replied as both sat in silence, stewing in their own thoughts.

They were silent for several minutes until Hestia took Rhea's hand to get her attention and once Rhea was looking, Hestia began.

"What if we make it another power play?" she asked with an odd glint in her eyes.

"Such as?" Rhea asked with a small frown.

"Well … letting Andromeda sleep with Percy on a regular basis would undermine our authority and could also weigh Percy down with guilt, right?" Rhea nodded as she waited for Hestia to get on with it. "But what if we also had a similar deal?"

"Are you asking to get your own lover!?" Rhea asked in mix of shock and horror. "You would actually consider letting another man touch you!?"

"Of course not!" Hestia snapped back with obvious anger over Rhea even considering she would do such a thing. "I'll happily scream that I'm Percy's, no one else!" She then took a moment to collect herself while still glaring slightly at Rhea. "However … after our first night, things changed between us. We aren't just married to Percy but each other as well," Hestia continued with a faint, silvery blush at the end as she squeezed Rhea's hand affectionately.

Rhea relaxed and smiled at that, even going as far as leaning forward and giving Hestia a small kiss that was gently returned for a few seconds before breaking apart. It had honestly been an in-the-moment decision to kiss Hestia during that night, mostly to tease Percy but after Hestia had taken charge along with Percy, Rhea had been more than happy to opening up their relationship to be an honest three-way. A slightly embarrassing conversation and morning sex had settled it and Rhea can honestly say the three had never been happier. It practically eliminated any jealousy over who got more time with Percy and allowed all of them to truly bond to each other.

"Okay …" Rhea said in a pleased sigh as some of her earlier tension dissolved with the kiss. "So what do you mean with a similar deal."

"Well, if we look at it from an honest standpoint, Percy is the only one that is strictly straight," Hestia explained getting Rhea to snort.

"We could just turn ourselves into the opposite gender and let Percy get a feel for being on the receiving end," she joked … though she might just bring up the idea some time just to see.

"Huh," was Hestia's reply even if Rhea could tell she was thinking about it judging by the growing blush. "Anyways, I doubt that would mean he would want anyone other than us but that aside, Percy's straight and we're not. So, who's to say he should be the only one to ah … enjoy the perks of sleeping with another goddess."

"Are you … suggesting we join in on these sessions?" Rhea asked with a raised eyebrow to which Hestia nodded before raised her finger.

"Think about it, if anything, Percy is fair. He doesn't like having things handed to him, especially if he doesn't feel he earned it. Not that I would ever even dream of asking him to, but if we wanted to be allowed to sleep with other men just because he can with other women, then he would. He would hate it but he would tolerate it if we demanded it. However, what's to say that we can't simply be part of this."

"I can't believe it," Rhea murmured in near awe. "To think I managed to corrupt you so quickly, I made Nyx proud!" she squealed while wiping away a non-existent tear getting slap on the shoulder from Hestia.

"Okay miss shameless but on a more serious note," Hestia continued as Rhea chuckled slightly. "Like you said, the image is important and we would have to find a way to stop from being undermined and having any old hussy trying to get our man so, why not make it so it's not Percy's lover but our lover."

"So making Andromeda a concubine?" Rhea asked with a slight bit of distaste. That might not go over so well and it might still put Andromeda in a bad light.

"Not to stereotype her but she is a Love goddess. I might not have liked Aphrodite but I was around enough to hear about how gods with the love domain are rarely limited to one sexual preference. And it would be her decision too … and I'd be lying if I said I didn't find her attractive."

"But we'd also still have to go back and convince Percy about this whole thing and in this scenario, his fidelity isn't working with us, not to mention our vows," Rhea pointed out.

"Well, we could go to Styx and even contact Lady Chaos to adjust our vows enough to allow only someone approved by all three of us to be our lovers."

"Lovers? As in plural?" Rhea asked with narrowed eyes.

"We both know that there are some others that genuinely love Percy like us," Hestia replied with a sigh. "It would be at least fair to offer the option to some of them rather than let some get resentful."

"Oh Chaos … look at us, one minute considering murder and now we are planning to form a harem of all things for ourselves and our husband," she moaned as she rubbed her temple.

"It really does seem that Percy has the shittiest luck and the luck of the devil at times," Hestia giggled.

"At least we know he'd be able to handle multiple women," Rhea purred as she recalled Percy's behavior during their first night in their new house.

The predatory glint in his eyes and how he radiated dominance as he held her down and took her. A delicious shudder ran up her spine just at the memory … and the morning after when Percy was on top of Hestia and truly showed the draconic goddess who was truly the one in control. 'Gods I might just jump him next time I see him,' she thought as she eyed Hestia and wondered if she could get away with a quickie before any of the others in the council returned from wherever they were.

"We should meet up with Percy," Hestia said, snapping Rhea out of her perverted train of thought.

Hestia waved her hand to disperse the barrier much to Rhea's chagrin but before she could comment on her little plan they both noticed Nico walking in looking oddly pale. Odd considering his normal pale was more of an other-worldly glow, now he just plain looked saw-a-ghost pale, as ironic as that was.

"Nico?" Hestia asked making the demi-primordial start as if he hadn't noticed their presence before… How he didn't see two, hundred foot goddesses was beyond Rhea.

"Oh, hey Hestia, Rhea," he said absentmindedly as he looked to Andromeda's throne and frowned at the apparent lack of said goddess. "By the way, do you girls know where Andy is?"

Rhea and Hestia shared a glance before looking back to the heir of the Pit. "She's … busy at the moment. Why, did you need something?"

"Ah … well … umm …" Nico muttered as he shuffled his feet and getting the goddesses more curious by the second. "Well … it's just … I needed Andy advice on something."

"And that would be?" Hestia asked as she leaned forward. "You could just ask us to see if we could help."

Nico remained silent for a few minutes while he opened and closed his hands, muttering to himself. He then finally turned his head up to look at them.

"Umm … I need some advice because …" he paused as he took a deep breath, getting Hestia and Rhea at the edge of their seats in anticipation.

"… Styx proposed to me."

"…"

"…"

"WHAT!?"


Author's Rant: And that's the bomb dropped! So, any thoughts on every shock of this chapter? Let me hear your thoughts!

A pleasure, Jbubu