Yet another chapter for you all! Wrap ups only to start something new and for the hunger of you all! More tension, feels, and reveals along the way! Hope everyone enjoys and let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: I only own the plot.
She ducked as something flew over her head, the damn storm and rain around her giving her little time to see whatever it was. Granted, the sheer scream of agony that followed definitely told her it was someone being grievously injured. She idly glanced back, momentarily looking away from the controls of the Argo V and nearly gagged.
Yep, someone's severed arm still dripping ichor.
She looked back in the direction of the fight, if she could even call it that. She watched as Percy held off both Artemis and Bellona, who'd joined in right as Annabeth was forced out of combat while any minor god that got a chance took a dive at him. That last one that lost the arm and currently dragged away from the center of that disaster was still screaming bloody murder even as some demigods tried to perform emergency first aid. Several demigods had also been knocked out in their attempts to attack, and worryingly enough, some of which from accidental hits delivered by Artemis or Bellona, more the former, which was not making things better for them. And all the while Percy hadn't made so much as a peep, just looking with a mix of cold disdain and ambiguously malevolence, though whether directed specifically at the two goddesses fighting him or everyone in general was up for debate.
She was broken out of her thoughts though as Festus Omega clicked and beeped before the entire ship abruptly shuddered in a rather rough landing with the ground. At least that removed the whole listing from side to side with the storm even if the deck was still swamped with the ridiculously cold rain. She looked off to her right and spotted the Argo III just as it basically crashed nose leading slightly into the ground close by, with Thalia having literally curb stomped Hera in the gut and tugging down the whole ship with it. She grimaced thought as Hera released a scream, the bottom of Thalia's odd boots releasing a hefty voltage.
Then she jumped up and away, using her wings to gain some altitude when Zeus rushed her though, his master bolt crackling as he arrived beside Hera with a furious snarl. Thalia didn't even look bothered by it, clear disgust shining through her eyes as she regarded the god that she once called father. They remained in a stare off, one high above as Zeus and the minor gods who'd been trying to help him stood at the ready even if Annabeth could feel their growing hesitation to face her.
She then looked past her as the Argo IV also managed to land though somewhat more smoothly, mostly because Nico had taken to the air above it again with Apollo chasing after. She was sure Hermes had been in that mix a few minutes ago but now she saw him being supported by one of his children with his left arm clearly broken, the trashed remains of a shattered shield barely attached to it. Apparently he'd tried to come around the back earlier and Nico had not been amused but at least it wasn't something irreparable. Seeing the injury made Annabeth glance down at her wounds.
Percy had been ruthless in his attack, his speed and mastery of both blades making his immediate vicinity a death zone. It stung at her pride, seeing how she was considered a minor threat, his eyes often on Artemis solely. It was brutally painful, both metaphorically and physically, how he easily knocked her away with every attack he decided to direct at her. One swing of his sword send her almost careening back with her arms nearly giving out every time before she could get a second wind, and even then it wasn't enough.
And then that moment…
One second she was going to blindside him while he crossed his arms in a guard against Artemis before he suddenly kicked her away and spun on a dime to swing at her. Her sword and his other, the Viking one, had locked and he pulled up so close, even with their difference in height, him a mortal 6 foot 3, her crowning at a full 10 feet and still she felt like the smaller of the two. His face had been so close to hers, his admittedly handsome yet cold expression boring into her. For just a moment that coldness had dropped to be replaced with sadness, pity, and dare she say … longing.
It had made her pause, unsure of what was going on then and there but then he acted. Like a wolf deciding to end the hunt he attacked, his katana moving so quickly she actually saw the air and rain drops alike around it being cut. She disengaged the block with the Viking sword and moved to block the new assault, only to gape as his katana sliced through her celestial bronze sword made by Hephaestus himself leaving her with only one thought. 'He really is a god … and one of both of those swords are symbols of power.' At that moment she knew only her own symbol of power would survive contact against his blades but she wasn't quick enough to summon it.
Her sword destroyed she moved her shield to block as the Viking sword was thrust forward within the span of half a second after the swing of the katana. She could claim that she was surprised, that it shouldn't have been possible, but she didn't even gasp in surprise as the Viking sword pierced through her shield … and her arm that had been holding it. She cried out in pain but stopped short as she saw the point continue on, closing in on her chest. Then, just as it made contact with her breastplate, it stopped dead.
Her own heart was beating furiously as she gave a shaky look to Percy, seeing his frigid eyes looking at her with that same underlying tone of sadness and his message was clear. 'I could have killed you, but I didn't.' She didn't have time to ask anything as he pulled his sword back, making her wince as it also left the flesh of her forearm retaining a cold, numbing sensation, before he kicked her shield effectively punting her all the way back to near the control panel and then for Bellona to jump in. That was what took her out of the fight and left her to focus on getting the ship safe, which it now was for the most part.
Now it seemed that the newly revealed primordial gods (she just couldn't deny their claim anymore) as Percy and Nico both jumped back from their fights and took to the air beside Thalia. She was actually surprised to see a few nicks a cuts on them, the sort that counted more as annoying papercuts whenever one of the attacking gods managed to come closer than most too actually hitting them. Nico sported one at the top of his right shoulder and another above his left knee, Thalia had a busted lip and a cut near her elbow, and Percy only had one along his cheek beneath his left eye.
Seeing that they could have been injured seemed to add some confidence to the Olympian forces however, with the lull in battle odd murmuring broke out at the sight of their blood. Rather than the golden ichor of the gods known, all three bleed silvery, near white ichor that reminded Annabeth of liquid platinum. At the moment she just added to an ever growing pile of questions she had about her newly revealed ex and just what the hell they were. Still, she wondered if they would attack again, hearing pistons firing and massive bay door on each Argo opening so the demigods under the decks could come out to actually help rather than be limited to the less than hundred per deck.
However, before anyone could make any move to instigate hostilities again there was a spike of heat coming from their right making several heads turn… only to gasp. There were two more of the winged gods, one with crimson wings formed of scales shaped into feather formations arrived at the side of Percy and the others. However, the moment anyone got a good look at her face, even with the burning crimson eyes and steaming tips of her hair, it could only be one goddess.
Hestia.
Like Percy she looked the similar to before but now there was a new air about her. Stronger, feral, dangerous … and primal. Hestia's gaze fell on her gawking siblings before she gave a fanged smile that likely caused some minor strokes, if gods could have strokes. Annabeth even heard several weapons dropped as the demigods looked on incredulously before the second winged goddess shifted slightly drawing attention to herself. Even in the raging storm she looked beautiful, with lavender eyes nearing a pink color closer to the center, deep purple wings, and a rather flattering skirt, leather boot, tight shirt, and corset combo. However, it what was in her arms that caused shock and alarm to flow through the Olympian ranks.
In the winged goddess' arms was her mother! Unconscious, shattered armor, and bleeding from a serious looking head-wound, not that the goddess holding her seemed to mind the ichor spilling onto her. The goddess holding her was shooting a disgusted look at none other than Artemis, occasionally passing over the other Olympians as well.
"A-Atalanta?" Artemis stammered within the silence, causing Annabeth's eyes to widen as she looked at the named Atalanta in a new light.
Atlanta, the kidnapped child of Artemis? So Percy had her all along and even made her a goddess too? But why!? However, before Annabeth could pursue a possible answer Atalanta's face turned sour with a scoff.
"My name is Andromeda Xena Jackson," the winged goddess returned. "Daughter of Sally and Paul Blofis, you know, my parents that you killed and took me from!" she finished with a shout as Artemis recoiled as if slapped. "The little sister of Perseus Jackson, the Primordial Goddess of Love, Attraction, Procreation, and Desire."
Artemis didn't seem to know what to do with that as murmurs broke, several looking at her oddly with the claim of her murder and kidnapping of the family of the legendary hero. Annabeth especially noticed the three or four of Artemis' old Hunt looking confused as well so it stood to reason they didn't know about it. However, it seemed that Artemis didn't see the attention aimed on her as she then looked at Hestia with shock, her fists starting to tremble before she pointed a shaky finger at the previously missing goddess.
"Y-you … you're no longer a maiden," she said with a near choke, as if unable to comprehend the words themselves while any within earshot gasped.
Annabeth was shocked to see Hestia return a feral grin back at the quivering goddess before raising her left hand to display a ring. It looked to be made of white gold, a glowing ruby surrounded by miniature flames of emerald and obsidian.
"I would hope not," Hestia said as she hovered closer to Percy, griping his left hand that only now did Annabeth notice had a ring as well.
Like Hestia's it was white gold but had an obsidian with a glowing icy blue center, surrounded by two miniature wolf sculptures made of ruby and emerald.
"A reintroduction I suppose," Hestia hummed with a clear amusement in regards to the near catatonic Olympians and demigod forces. "I'm Hestia Jackson, Primordial Goddess of Fire, Hope, and Unity, the Lady of Dragons, and one of the queens of the Primordial Council," she stated with a friendly wave, completely disregarding the atmosphere and tension. "Oh, and by the way, who said I was taken against my will?" she added with eyes narrowing at her siblings, her crimson flaming eyes boring into them.
It made it even worse when Percy rolled his eyes and smirked before letting go of her hand and snaking that arm around the goddess' waist to bring her flush against him.
"As much fun as it's been to see you all," he said, the sarcasm evident in his voice as he shot one last venomous look at Artemis and Zeus. "But we'll be going now but remember…" he trailed off as all the other winged gods got closer to him, his raven wings suddenly expanding to nearly five times their original size. Almost soundlessly they closed around the entire group, before it all just dissolved into shadows and darkness, leaving the space clear as the storm suddenly ended to the shock of several demigods shouting after Athena.
"Only the Olympians need fear us," came his voice from everywhere and nowhere, making several jump as they looked around wildly.
Then all mayhem seemed to break loose as everything finally registered. Athena gone, Hestia's apparent traitorous nature rather than forced kidnapping, Andromeda's revelations in regards to Artemis. Everything was simply spinning out of control and even with a godly mind Annabeth felt the headache coming in even as she vowed to figure out what was really going on. The one track mind to eliminate the Olympians explicitly meant there had to be some truth to Percy's claims against them and it was nothing but self-discipline and the need to carefully plan out her next steps that stopped Annabeth from trying to track and chase them down now to get to her mother.
She wasn't delusional enough to think she could get to Athena alone even if she was likely taken to the very same area the military force had been heading towards. All she could do now was heal, rest, and plan. Judging by the looks of the Argos, they wouldn't be heading out for a week at the least with the damages she could make out so it gave her time. Looking at the fuming remains of the Olympians, with the noted guilt and shame in the way Hephaestus slouched near his control panel told Annabeth that none of them would be forthcoming.
However, that didn't mean she would stop at that. She was very aware of two particular gods she could get to squeal for information, and considering one has caused a number of problems for Annabeth in the recent years of her marriage and previous love-lives, she was more inclined to meet that disgraced goddess. With that plan set she nodded and moved to the demigod forces, trying to reign in her mother's squads with the assistance of Bellona before they could begin setting camp…
Raven, Same Time
Raven hummed softly to herself as she walked around, enjoying the sights. The hustle and bustle as all sorts of mortals ran around with lights, microphones, cameras, and such. Luckily no one gawked too much at her too much aside from one intern that ran head first into a part of some castle set she'd passed. Poor boy spilled hot and overly expense coffee over himself. She took pity on him and had given a discreet wave, making the mess lessen to only a small stain before he could notice it. Considering the sun had just set, that would be far less noticeable until he could change shirts.
Well, at least that had been within her very limited divine abilities. Being a domain-less or wild goddess reduced what abilities she could use beyond typical immortals such as willing nectar and ambrosia into existence, increasing her size to match her full strength, flashing, and changing her clothes or appearance at will. All her other abilities were those inherited from her parents or focused through her role as her mother's guardian though her parents had mentioned possibly ascending her to a full god status after the war considering several positions and domains would be left available. At least being a guardian only at the moment left her free of a good deal of the Ancient Laws meant specifically for full gods.
After all, she didn't have a complete divine form but rather an odd, humanoid form of sentient energy, and she couldn't actually control her mother's domains, merely have a very high affinity and connection to them. That all essentially left her in a similar position to Lupa, another goddess who was never actually titled and completed by a deity linked to Fate or governing body. Lupa was a wolf goddess literally but not a goddess or Lady of wolves. Of course, even if being incomplete goddesses left them significantly weaker and with slower recovery, then again, having the patronage of her parents for each of them still made them far more powerful than they should be otherwise, such as Lupa, Medusa, and Lamia each having the power to match Olympians.
Though, in the case of Raven herself her role of guardianship was taken with a far simpler oath that allows for release of service whereas Lupa, along with Medusa and Lamia were forever bound to Percy, meaning those three were still at a higher tier than Raven was in regards to power and ability. Although, it would be possible for the three to be ascended to a godhood as well but still permanently bonded to her father. Their relation aside, Raven was in Los Angeles for her own mission. While her father, mother, Uncle Nico, Aunty Thalia, and her step-mother, Hestia, were all up farther north and encountering the Olympians, Raven had another task as a guardian.
While it was the patron god's choice in the end, guardians could look into and recruit possible candidates to create a group for their task. Her mother had been hesitant to try and recruit mortals, unlike her father's wolves which gained from regular wolves or naturally born within the ranks, and considering the specifications of her roles. Raven had already undertaken three different missions in different areas of the continental US … and it had not been pretty. The first one alone was brutal and she was positive if she had been a regular mortal rather than a divine being already assimilated to such circumstances, she would have broken down on the spot.
A sex slave traffic ring of all things. Getting in had been easy, using minor levels of charm speak and sweet talking some guards, maybe flash a little cleavage and 'gently' dissuade anyone who got a little too … familiar. But the moment she'd been inside and seen what was actually happening, the faces of either hopelessness or panic, desperate pleas and prayers so thick she couldn't even block them out of her head. In all honesty she had just let go and seen nothing but a red haze until she abruptly recovered only to find that she had been asleep in her father's lap, using her inherited ability to take on a child form.
It was only then that she realized she'd been covered head to toe in mortal blood, not a speck of her own platinum ichor in sight though she felt some welts from bullets definitely having hit her but failed to pierce her skin. She'd almost panicked but her father calmed her and explained to her what happened since he and her mother had been watching the entire time. Apparently she'd snapped, unused to such an influx of negative emotions and rather horrid desires she could sense off the frequenters of the establishment. It had taken less than an hour for her to clear out every single responsible individual within the building, whether consumer or producer, and rip them apart by hand rather than use her short sword disguised as a hair clip given to her by her father.
At least she'd remained coherent enough to shadow travel with all those she rescued, over three dozen, and brought them to Will's clinic in the city. A good chunk of those she rescued where well under the legal age too so Leto would probably take responsibility for them. That mission had been a bit of an alarming wake-up call though, especially since it seemed that Raven inherited something akin to a fatal flaw from her father, being driven over the edge emotionally and focusing on a sole directive though unless it was a repeat occurrence, that one time could be attributed to nerves and inexperience. Regardless she had continued on with the follow up missions, steeling herself for the task she was born to handle in her mother's place.
Now that she had some experience under her belt her mother felt it right to start seeking out possible candidates to join her. It may have seemed overly clichéd and fantasy based but with the world's state now Love truly did need to be protected, especially through the greatest means such as innocence and empathy. Now she had chased down what felt like a possible lead that she'd picked out some hours earlier while in her mother's office and connecting more thoroughly with emotions of the closest humans, at least on the same continent.
The one she felt was surprisingly appropriate for the tasks and purpose of, as of yet unnamed group which Raven would lead under the supervision of her mother. Sure, they and likely would try to spread positive emotions whenever they could but at the end of the day they were also executioners, specifically hunting for the Black Listed as her mother termed them. They would see vile and disgusting things, the ugly underbelly that humanity tries to ignore about itself and they needed to have tough stomachs for it. The emotions she felt from this one gave an impression of experience but there were still undertones of kindness and a desire to do more. Oddly enough, this presence, though strong for a mortal, felt like it was incomplete somehow, as if something was simply removed and never replaced or returned.
She followed the presence until she came to a large studio, the dusk illuminated with bright lights of all sorts focused on the far side where cameras were rolling. She idly glanced to a big cut out, reading, "King of Sparta III: The Ascension" on it. 'Well, that's amusing considering humanity more or less knows some higher beings exist' she mused as she walked past the studio itself and towards an open air courtyard or sorts full of high end trailers, some being hounded by paparazzi. She flowed her senses, maneuvering through some groups, discreetly using the Mist to make sure no one, especially a paparazzi, got any ideas to take pictures of her or try to get her attention.
It only took her a few minutes before she arrived to one particular trailer with a large, shaded tent strung up next to it. Inside she saw a woman looking around her mid-twenties or so, dark brown hair falling just short of her shoulders with a small braid hanging near her face. Dressed in a rather simple yet snug green blouse and jean shorts did nothing to detract from her rather impressive hourglass figure, as far as mortals went. Her light mocha skin seemed flawless and with deep, amber eyes and full lips set her apart from the rest.
However, even as she watched the woman relaxing with a chai tea in hand and a magazine in the other, Raven could see a faint wariness in her shoulders. Almost like she was tired but also expecting a visit but not one she wanted in the slightest. Raven felt tempted to use her abilities to see the woman's desires to get an idea of how to approach her but then she thought better of it. Being this close had already tipped Raven that this woman was a demigod, though again the scent felt off as well, much like her presence. And if this was an adult demigod with clear experience judging by the subtle muscle definition in her arms and the siting stance that would allow her to move in an instant, she would be suspicious if someone unknown suddenly showed up and started a conversation with too much control or knowledge.
Coming outright and saying she was an immortal could help show honesty on her part but making it seem like a manipulation rather than an offer would be counter-productive. So, taking her choice of action she walked forward confidently, mirroring how her mother would walk when she wanted her father's attention. Virgin she may be and no interests to change that as of yet but still, being a seductress was second nature to her. As it were, the clack of her heeled sandals drew the woman's attention up from her magazine.
Said woman watched with a raised eyebrow as Raven drew closer with an easy smile, brazenly walking into the open-air tent and asking, "Mind if I have a seat?"
The demigod looked at her with something akin to bemusement, as if wondering why exactly she was being approached or who Raven thought she was but regardless she gave a nod and smile.
"Thank you," Raven said as she got comfortable, crossing her legs and putting her hands together on her lap as she looked at the demigoddess.
The demigoddess in question seemed to be considering whether returning to her magazine or not but then set it down and looked at Raven intently before asking, "So, can I get a name?"
"Oh," Raven started, a slight blush of embarrassment making itself known though luckily the Mist hide it as a natural color. "I'm sorry, my name is Raven … Blofis," she added at the end seeing this demigoddess was simply too old to not know the Jackson name, besides, she wasn't technically wrong since her parents aren't married yet and her mother is a Blofis.
"Blofis," the demigoddess murmured with a slight narrowing of the eyes, as if trying to find where she might have heard that name before but seemed to come up short. With a little shake and smile she returned, "Nice to meet you Raven, my name is Piper … Piper Mclean."
Raven just barely stopped her eyes from widening at that, almost kicking herself for not recognizing the demigod sooner. She wasn't the most popular of subjects back at Mount Cartier but Raven had heard enough that she should have recognized her for the obvious such as her heritage, mortal and divine, but then again Piper's presence felt incomplete … and didn't she have ever changing eyes?
Still, continuing on without giving it away that Piper's name rung some bells beyond what they should, possibly because it was rather obvious now that Piper was here with her father. If she remembered correctly they'd heard that there was a falling out between Piper and Aphrodite soon after the scandal with Jason and the demigod had renounced all ties to Olympus, including her own bloodline and abilities associated with them. That … made things easier in a way.
Here she had a known and experienced demigoddess with no ties to Olympus whatsoever, already used to some of the abilities she would gain if she took a vow with her mother … if she agreed. But then there was the entire issue of Jason and how everyone else would react to it. She was sure she could convince her father to give Piper a second chance, as well as her mother would definitely support it, but again it was all speculation until she actually got Piper to agree. That being said, she was taking too long and Piper was starting to fidget as Raven kept staring at her without even blinking.
"Well, nice to meet you Piper," she said kindly while relaxing into her seat before looking around.
She caught Piper looking oddly surprised for a moment before asking softly, "You're taking this awfully well."
Raven turned to her with a quirked eyebrow, not sure why that was, luckily Piper continued.
"For the last few years people always get excited or tongue tied when they learn I'm Tristen Mclean's daughter," she explained before gesturing to a group of paparazzi hounding some passing actor. "They won't bother here since there are actual celebrities to go after but every once in a while I'm spotted by the curious few or new reports trying to find an easy first assignment." Then she grimaced before adding, "That or other, occasionally actors trying to get in my pants."
"Well to be honest I had no idea who you were until you said your name and otherwise no real interest in the celebrity stuff," Raven said with a casual shrug. "You just looked a little lonely and this shaded tent is rather comfortable."
"That's why I got it," Piper replied before taking a sip of her drink. "Hanging out in an air-conditioned trailer gets boring pretty quickly but being out here always gets some entertainment."
"I would imagine so," Raven agreed before pausing as she considered how to get the conversation to the more … mystic aspects of the world. "So … been seeing the news lately?" she hedged.
Piper hummed with a nod. "Yeah, pretty crazy all things considered and I thought I'd seen everything," she said, finishing with the last bit muttered under her breath but Raven still caught it.
"You don't seem that surprised," she commented, watching how Piper tensed slightly but relaxed soon enough.
"You could say I've lived … in interesting times," she replied.
"And so? Any thoughts on everyone claiming about angels and the end is near?" she asked, amusement coloring her voice.
Piper snorted at that before saying, "Wouldn't be the first time."
Seeing Raven's questioning look Piper quickly added, "I mean, everyone thought the new millennia was the end and then there was the whole 2012 year so really it's just everyone jumping the gun."
"And if it isn't?" Raven asked as she picked at her hair clip before taking it out and fingering it lightly. "What if the world isn't ending … but changing?"
Piper looked at her oddly at that before her eyes moved to the hairclip in Raven's hands. Deciding that unless she outright said it Piper would keep the conversation away from anything related to myths she twirled the clip in her fingers making it shift. In a manner of seconds she now held a black short sword made from one of her father's own feathers and fused with tartarean steel just for her. The handle and guard were a smooth obsidian while the blade itself was slightly curved up forming one sharp edge for cutting.
Piper gaped at it but Raven quickly shifted it back to a hairclip before Piper could think she was taking hostile action, though she wasn't sure if Piper was armed anyways. Said demigoddess was now looking at her with narrowed and calculating eyes, the old training and experience from the second Giant War taking root. They stared at each other for a few tense minutes before Piper finally broke the silence.
"Who and more importantly, what, are you?" she asked.
"I told you who, you just don't know what that means unless you knew who my parents are. As for what, again related to what my parents are but …" she paused as she leaned forward and said with a wink. "… My parents and their associates have been the topic of news lately."
At that Piper's eyes widened, probably recalling the footage of Jason that practically everyone has seen by now. However, before the demigoddess could possibly jump to a wrong conclusion Raven held a hand up.
"Relax, I'm not going to hurt you or anything. I have another purpose for being here," she said.
"I thought you didn't even know who was?" Piper shot back suspiciously.
"And I didn't, I was only tracking down a strong presence that could match what I was looking for to begin with," Raven replied.
"And that would be what exactly?" Piper continued, still not looking convinced. "Because if you know anything about me, than you know that I didn't exactly leave that world behind on the most positive note for anyone."
"Well I'm not from Olympus if that's what you're asking but then again, you don't know what's been going on in the last few months, do you?" Raven shot back with a knowing smirk while Piper frowned.
"I was wondering why it's been so long since her last attempt," Piper murmured before looking at Raven's questioning expression. "The Love goddess," Piper nearly hissed. "Has been trying for some time to get me to see reason apparently but I still reject her every time. She's even tried to get back with my father but I've chased her off several times and he already knows just enough about the mystic world to rebuke her as well. He didn't take kindly to learning what she did to me and before you say anything," Piper added when Raven opened her mouth to comment on what happened that night, she raised her hand. "Yes, it was my fault for letting her words get to me and in the end I'm the one that willingly slept with the sunny bastard but I won't let myself or my father become one of her playthings again."
"I'm surprised she hasn't caused anything to happen. Last I checked Olympians don't take a 'no' very well and go by the logic of 'If I can't have it, no one can'," Raven said as she crossed her arms and studied Piper intently.
"That's because of Hestia," Piper replied as she took another drink. "She'd heard what happened and probably felt how upset I was, especially when that woman appeared again. She forced Aphrodite to swear on the Styx to never use her power or domains to interfere with me and my father ever again. Makes the goddess near harmless if she can't charmspeak you but it didn't stop her persistence."
Raven whistled at that while looking at Piper mildly impressed. Even without the use of her power Aphrodite was still someone experience in using pure feminine charms and a silver tongue to get what she wants, not to mention her resources as a goddess were nothing to scuff at. She could easily imagine the goddess coming to Piper with promises of just about anything, from riches to power if only to reclaim her daughter, likely the strongest one she's ever had. And yet Piper had said no to each and every one.
"Hmm, so what then? Happy now with all this?" Raven asked as she waved around to which Piper idly tracked before sighing.
"It's … pleasant," she answered after a quiet minute. "But … boring I guess." She then sighed as she looked down at her lap. "I thought that what I had with Grace was what I wanted," She said while Raven wondered on the specifics on not using Jason's given name. "We were together, partially immortal with respect and all that but more importantly, peace and quiet finally. I didn't really like the whole 'demigods fighting and fighting for glory only to get eaten at some point' so I didn't even officially join the legion. Sure I would fight if actually needed but otherwise I was happy just going on with the days but …" She now looked at Raven with wet eyes. "I guess what I wanted and what Jason wanted weren't exactly matched up. I stayed at home, he was out there being a hero and such, recuing demigods. I was happy mostly keeping to regular mortal stuff while he was training, searching, and leading with the legion. I guess in the end I got frustrated because even then we didn't progress together as a couple, and then all the stuff with that damned goddess."
Piper gave a mirthless chuckle as she set her tea down.
"But then here I am. Living the mortal life with a celebrity parent and I can't help but feel like it just isn't enough. Like I can and should be doing so much more, even if I lost all my abilities." She then trailed off as she looked at her lap.
"And what now? Are you going to remain like this? Daughter of a movie star just living an uneventful life," Raven said with a slightly disappointed frown. "I get that everything that happened during the second war really put a pressure on everything, especially when you went from being a clueless mortal to demigod fulfilling part of a prophecy, but in the end it's still in your blood. You were born to do, not just stay stagnant, even if you're definitely Greek rather than the uptight and duty bound Roman."
Piper sniffed a bit before muttering, "Maybe … I still don't want anything to do with those of Olympus though, I would just mean being closer to that goddess again."
"What about Hestia? You seem to still like her," Raven commented while hiding a small smirk.
"Well, I'd like to see her and appreciate what she did for me but wouldn't it still bring me in contact with Olympus even after being separate from them for near half a decade?" Piper asked.
"Not necessarily," Raven hummed as she looked at the former child of love intently. "A lot has been going on with the mystic side of things, as I'm sure you're aware from the news." At Piper's nod, she continued. "Well, the reason seeing Hestia again is due to what you saw on the news and what's been going on in recent years, and it also coincides as to why I came looking for you."
At Piper's questioning look Raven smiled as she leaned forward. "Well Piper Mclean, if you'll humor me, I might just have an interesting offer for you …"
Athena, Hours Later
The goddess groaned softly as she woke back up, her head throbbing and a metallic taste in her mouth. Her vision was blurry for a few moments as she blinked repeatedly before getting a full view of where she was. She immediately noticed that her hands were tied together at the wrists and hung up above her head. She was in a marble room lit by odd lamps in each corner that almost looked like they were made of solid light. It was considerably large, around some 20 feet cubed if she had to guess, the chains holding her to the ceiling made of an odd black metal that definitely wasn't Stygian Iron but she couldn't identify it.
Her feet just barely touched the floor, more of her toes grazing the chilly floor. She was dressed lightly, in a simple white sundress and much to her alarm, nothing else underneath. Her heart started to race as a cold pit of worry and fear built up in her, her eyes starting to look around almost wildly. Every single thought was turning to what this scene could play out, every scenario getting progressively worse. However, before she could scare herself further the single door before her creaked as it was opened and stepped in … the winged goddess that fought her before.
Those same lavender turning to pink eyes looked at her without giving anything away as the winged woman came closer. She felt oddly familiar, like Athena had seen her face once or twice before but for the life of her she couldn't remember properly. The woman stopped just a few feet away, looking Athena over with her hands held behind her back, the silence between them quickly becoming heavy. It got to a point that Athena was unconsciously starting to squirm, only now truly being able to feel the power rolling off the woman even while suppressed.
"So …" the woman began, her voice carrying a pleasant, near musical chime to it. "… how are you feeling, Athena?"
Unsure of how to address such a question considering her current state of detainment, Athena skipped answering only to shoot back her own questions in a tone that was far more confident than she actually was. "Who are you? What do you want with me?"
The winged woman didn't seem surprised that Athena avoided the question only to ask her own but answered regardless.
"Well, my name is Andromeda Jackson, Percy's little sister that Artemis kidnapped," the now named Andromeda answered simply much to Athena's shock but she continued on. "I'm also now Percy, Rhea, and Hestia's fiancé and future royal consort, the Primordial Goddess of Love, Attraction, Desire, and Procreation, and member of the new Primordial Council," she finished while Athena had trouble picking her jaw back up at the influx of personal information.
"B-but, how, I mean what!?" Athena spluttered, her eyes wide as she looked at Andromeda and spotting the clear amusement in her eyes.
"Before you can go off on me marrying my brother, Hestia, and Rhea, or that fact that, yes, me being their consort does mean the three are married already, please explain to me your family tree," she said casually while crossing her arms under her rather impressive bust.
Athena tried to think up something of an argument but came up dry as she stared at Andromeda. Taking her silence as leave to continue she spoke on, "As for me being a goddess, Eros and Phanes along with most of the old protogenoi decided it was their time to move on and picked their heirs to take their places. I took over for Eros and Phanes, Percy became the heir of Nyx and Erebus, Rhea took Gaea's place, and so on and so forth with a few of the other missing heroes," she explained before narrowing her eyes. "But we aren't here to discuss that right now. Instead, let's focus on you."
At that Athena became more on guard, her legs pressing together remembering her current position and state of dress.
"What are you going to do with me?" she asked, glad that she managed to keep any stutter out of her voice.
"Not what you're thinking obviously," Andromeda answered as she glanced down at Athena's tense legs. "We can be pretty brutal with our punishments but you can be sure that they will always be proportional to the crimes and besides, this isn't Olympus," she added with obvious distaste at the mention of the city of the Greek gods. "We don't go murdering and raping every prisoner just because we can unlike your father and several others."
Athena couldn't honestly give any retort to that, much to her shame. She knew just what kind of being several of the Olympians were, the very myths passed on throughout the millennia detailing it in painful accuracy and that was just what they knew of.
"Granted what happened to your brother was a little more heavy handed than what I would have done but in the end it might just have been what he deserved," Andromeda added.
"What did you do to him?" Athena asked wearily.
"Not entirely sure. Only the late Lord Tartarus, Ikelos, and Nico know in detail but they've refrained from giving them out. I do believe though it involved turning all of Ares' favored memories featuring rape and torture against him," she answered before her face grew dark. "Though you may come to find that having me as your … warden … could in fact be worse."
Athena felt a shudder go through her as she looked at the winged goddess, somehow finding little doubt in her claim but she still tried to put up and air of defiance.
"Oh, and how, pray tell, could you be worse than Tartarus?" she asked, a near haughty look taking her features and she tried to look down at the shorter goddess. "You just said that you aren't like the Olympians so my virtue is safe, if you're telling the truth that is, but then what else could you do?" she asked, gaining confidence as she went on.
"I could slowly break through your mental barriers and take away your very Desire to live until you're nothing but an empty husk waiting for someone to kill you and make you fade," Andromeda shot back, her answer like a bucket of cold water dumped on the restrained goddess. "I could instead turn your every want and desire into nothing but lust until you'd become worse than Aphrodite and your father, or even take away any and all love you might feel for your family until you're left with nothing but bitter emptiness and even hatred before setting you lose on them, need I go on?"
At Athena's silence Andromeda continued, this time slowly beginning to walk around the restrained goddess.
"You need to forget everything you know about Love and Lust, Athena. Aphrodite is a very poor example to go off and few gods or mortals have truly contemplated it enough to understand either. Love and its counterpart, Hatred, are dangerous emotions, possibly the most. Both are blind, death, and dumb. Logic does not matter to them nor reason, and because of that those emotions can be used to control someone like good little puppets," she then paused as she stood behind Athena. "Then there is Lust, an emotion that is far more in tuned with the body and what it wants. Why torture someone with pain and threats when lust is far more effective. Anyone can be trained to tolerate pain, even to the point it becomes too much and their minds shatter but by then it defeats the purpose, especially if you want information. A person can close off their heart and cut all ties that could be used against them, maybe even using such methods might validate stubbornness."
Now Andromeda stood before her again.
"Lust on the other hand is more … sinister. Unlike pain, neither your mind nor body would try to guard itself against lust, even if by your will you do. There is no danger of your mind shattering or withdrawing within itself …"
"But-"
"Again, you misunderstand," Andromeda continued as she stepped up to Athena's side. "This isn't about taking you against your will or any threats of sexual violence but frustration," she said as she lightly traced a finger from Athena's elbow to her armpit, causing goosebumps to develop. "Gods may like to think they're so above mortals and we are admittedly in several ways but by the same token we are nearly identical, if not worse. Especially in regards to our bodily desires," she added before she blew softly into Athena's ears making her shudder, and much to her horror, lean into it for more. "Gods at the end of the day, are horny beings. The only ones on this entire mountain not going at it consistently are the virgins and that's before they gain their first experience before all bets are off. And at the same time, it's the unexperienced that tend to be the most vulnerable to new … sensations," she whispered almost huskily as she softly caressed the outside of her thigh, the very touch seeming to almost burn the goddess as her heart sped up.
"Of course, with it being me, bringing anyone to the point of overwhelming need is pretty simple, especially if I know what they want and how," Andromeda continued as she moved away before looking back at Athena. "Of course, you aren't here for that so turning your own lust against you is merely a means, not an end. Maybe if we needed information, then I'd be more prone to using my own methods, but again, we don't need any information could provide."
"But that means …" Athena trailed off as she got the simple shrug from Andromeda. "… There's a spy."
"Yeah. The barrier you lot have been using may be enough to detect if our consciousness gets too close whenever you're having meetings but otherwise New Rome isn't that well-guarded. Not that we need to try and eavesdrop anyways," Andromeda replied with a thin smile on her lips, much to Athena's growing worry.
Just how well informed was this new Protogenoi council?
"W-what is the ends then?" Athena asked, desperately tried to control her heart and fight down the faint blush that had appeared and remained since Andromeda touched her.
Andromeda gave her a knowing look before her face got more serious. "Originally your death was intended with the rest of the Olympians but after some others gods came forward with their thoughts on the matter, it was decided that each Olympian would go by case as to what they deserved."
"So rigged and backroom trials? You have an odd sense of justice," Athena bit back as she finally regained control of her body.
"Sweet heart this war's purpose was to off you and a good chunk of deities that have spent the last couple eons tormenting each other and innocent mortals alike. A trail would be the debate on your execution and punishment leading to it, and that's if we even bother taking you into custody rather than kill you out on the battlefields. We aren't claiming the higher morale ground as there is none, this is us simply giving those of you with lesser evils to your names a chance to possibly change or even gain redemption." Andromeda then paused as she looked down, a frown marring her face. "However, sometimes if you want to a chance to change or find redemption, punishment is needed first."
As Andromeda spoke the door behind her opened and two woman walked in. Both Athena immediately recognized and a feeling of dread built up inside her. Even with the new black hair that fell to the back of her thighs and vibrant green, slit eyes, Medusa was every bit the beauty that Athena remembered of her priestess. The other, once a dear friend as well, also an exotic beauty with her new sets of eyes and the lower body of an enormous arachnid, Arachne still turned heads but it was their eyes that made Athena cringe. Such utter loathing and anger, all directed at her, made the goddess want to look away and curl up in a corner.
"I leave you to them now," Andromeda spoke up as she glanced at the two former monsters before glancing back at Athena. "I'll return later but for now, what happens is between you three, and that's none of my business."
With that Andromeda turned her head away and left, her heels clicking the whole way before she was out the door leaving the three women alone. Athena looked at them, unsure of what to say, if she even could say anything to them but it didn't look like Medusa and Arachne were much interested in what she had to say. Instead Medusa raised one hand and a whip materialized straight out of the shadows as wires appeared in Arachne's hands.
"Hello Athena," Medusa started as she leisurely cracked the whip against the marble floor, leaving a clear cut in the stone making Athena gulp. "We've been wanting to see you for quite some time," she continued with a thin, grim smile.
"And now we have all the time in the world," Arachne added as she pulled the strings taut between her fingers…
Oh Shit! Things are going down! Hope everyone enjoyed and drop a review! A pleasure, Jbubu
