Hello everyone! I live and am kicking! I know, ridiculously long wait for this one and I honestly can't offer excuses but writer's block and real life shit being a hassale at times. As for this chapter, I was really picky about what I wanted to do and go where to the point I re-wrote it 6 times! Hopefully the results are to satisfaction even though I'm iffy about the execution.

Again, thank you guys for being here and even reading it, that means the world to me and really brightens my day to know I brought some entertainment to you all! It really is a pleasure writing this.

Thanks, Jbubu


With Hestia, Next Morning


The Lady of Dragons was wide awake at this time, her mind surprisingly clear as she took in the sight before her. She lay comfortable on her bed, head resting on her palm as she watched her husband sleep. The slow rise and fall of his muscled chest with every soft breath, his head turned in her direction looking at peace.

She wished he could always be like this.

The small smile that had been on her face for some time fell into a sad frown, remembering last night and the last dregs of tears that marred his face. A memory of his face, the dull faded green and heartbroken eyes of a spent hero at the end of his rope, it all came to her and she compared it to what was only a few hours ago. Why him? She couldn't just blame the Fates any more, nor the intentional meddling of other gods. And yet, nothing could ever be easy or left well enough alone when it came to her husband.

But he wasn't alone now and she'd be damned if she wasn't there for him every step of the way. With her lips in a firm line she nodded softly to herself before focusing on her husband's sleeping face again. She leaned closer as she brushed some of his wild raven locks to the side and left a small kiss on his forehead.

A content sigh was the response as she pulled back and gently slid out of their bed, the dark satin sheets slipping off almost like water. Once off the bed she turned away and quietly walked to their bathroom and walked in, silently closing the door behind her before her attention turned to the large mirror.

Her own dark hair spilled in lush yet wild curls down to the middle of her back, her crimson eyes sharp and alert as she inspected herself. Her wrinkled shirt made her nose scrunch in distaste before she raised her hand and snapped her fingers.

Instantly a roaring blaze of fire erupted around her, the very air steaming and hissing as she stood perfectly comfortable within the miniature inferno for all of five seconds. Then, without preamble it fizzed out, not even an ember or scorch mark left in the wake. And yet, it was Hestia that undergone the signs of change.

Gone was her sleepwear, replaced with a dark red blouse and pitch black jeans that hugged her legs and hips. Black leathered boots reaching up to her calves with the slightest heels paired to a smaller leather jacket left unzipped and her hair now in a more styled curl with some strands framing the sides of her face.

A small nod and she spun about as she walked out of the bathroom, the slightest hints of steam wafting off her form as she stepped back into the cool master bedroom. Her eyes found the sleeping form of her husband again, noting that he'd moved some but didn't seem to be stirring any time soon. The soft smile returned to her face as she quietly left the echoes of his soft snores.

Once out her smile made way for a set narrowed eyes and thinned lips. Right now her husband was getting the rest he needed but that didn't mean she needed to remain idle herself. With that in mind she made quick work of traversing their home, barely registering the silent wind spirits at work cleaning or the presence of other primordial as she passed their rooms.

Soon she was out the doors and walking down the steps leading to a sheer drop and the world below. As she got to the end she didn't pause, boldly stepping as if she expected another step to appear for her but then within the next second another inferno surrounded her before she disappeared.

All but a few seconds passed as her world was nothing but twisting fire and light for her eyes even as she felt exactly where she was going. Then, with another burst of flame she appeared, her heeled boots clacking on the dark marble of her landing as the wails of the damned echoed. She lightly brushed her shoulders as she looked around, the familiar sight of her brother's castle in front of her and the fields of punishment to her back.

She also noted that the two guards, fallen marines this time around, each stood to the sides of the path leading to her brother's home, both taking a knee in respect yet their gazes never left her. She gave a small nod of acknowledgement but otherwise didn't speak as she walked past them. Only the clack of her heeled boots and tormented screams of the damned filled the otherwise silent walk as she ascended the steps leading up her brother's abode.

Occasionally her eyes would stray off the path, idly noting the changes made to the divisions of the lands of the dead as to streamline or update the ways a soul's resting place is determined. Still, her curiosity aside she moved on and was soon at the gates the once imposing castle looming over her and yet was unfazed.

Even back in the olden days she'd always at least been cordial with her gloomy brother and rarely visited but even then, there had always been a feeling of unease to accompany her visits. A sense that she needed to be careful even if she had been capable of defending herself should the need arise.

Not anymore.

She had changed. Grown and evolved past a mere god and unique to the primordial before them. Few things could faze her anymore and even now, she knew in her core that she was by far the most dangerous being currently here. The new part of her, the animalistic side, dared anyone to come and tell her otherwise.

So with that in mind she all but marched forward, past the outer gates and into the halls of her brother's castle. With enough visits she had a detailed mental map and made quick work of moving within the stone halls as she passed ghoulish servants and guards until she turned up against a slightly smaller doorway leading to the throne room. Behind the ornate doors she could feel a familiar presence and one of the ones she was looking for so she strode forward.

She all but marched up against the gates, unbothered as her palm rested against the petrified wood and Stygian iron used in the building. She gave a gentle shove, little more than what one would expect to give a stubborn door with a rusty hinge and yet, the massive doors swung open, nearly slamming the inner walls as she paused, blinking in slight surprise. She'd honestly expected the doors to put a little more resistance than they had … or she needed to get a better grip on just how strong she'd grown. With a light silvery dusting to her cheeks as she barely resisted the reflex to shuffle sheepishly, her crimson eyes soon met the wide-eyed gaze of the queen of the Underworld.

Persephone sat in her godly form, dressed in a simple green chiton as she sat across her throne with her legs kicked over the side. She blinked slowly at Hestia's direction, her hands clenched with a paper and broken pen in them. The stare off lasted all of five seconds before Persephone suddenly gasped as she scrambled off her throne, idly tossing the ruined paper and pen aside, and almost ran to Hestia before dropping to a knee before her.

"L-Lady Hestia, welcome! I'm sorry about not greeting you the moment you arrived but I didn't know you were coming and…"

"Persephone," Hestia cut in as she waved it off, still looking up at the currently 15 foot goddess. "It's okay. I didn't call ahead so don't worry. Also please drop the formality, this is more of a personal visit," she said in comforting voice.

Seeing the relief shine in Persephone's eyes told her she'd been successful as the goddess nodded and shrank down until she was standing in front of Hestia and looking up at her, her shorter stature of some 5'6 compared to Hestia's new 5'10 height without counting her heels.

"Aunty Hesita," Persephone said warmly as she closed in and hugged Hestia, an action she was happy to return. After Persephone pulled back she smiled softly as she asked, "So what are you doing here aunty?"

At the question Hestia sighed as her smile dropped a little. "I need you to take me to Elysium please," she said as she saw Persephone's eyes widen before scrunching in confusion.

"Umm … not that you aren't allowed but, why?" the queen of the dead asked.

"I need to speak to Paul Blofis," was her short answer.

Again Persephone looked at her owlishly but didn't immediately reply as she instead nodded and gestured for Hestia to follow. The pair walked in silence for some moments as they left the castle proper and onto a winding path around the castle towards Persephone's gardens if Hestia remembered correctly. The slight echo of their feet was only accompanied by the wails of tormented growing fainter by the step until Hestia caught Persephone's glance.

Their eyes locked for a moment before Persephone looked away even as she started to speak.

"So … how have things been since the attack?"

Hestia hummed for a moment as she thought about it, remembering the faces of the shocked demigods brought to the city or feeling the very hope wither and break for those within the Olympian forces.

"As well as things can be expected after a battle," Hestia finally answered, her voice almost resigned to the fact. "We took Artemis out of the picture and shook up the Olympians but it's only a matter of time before they regroup."

Persephone didn't comment but simple scrunched her brows in thought as she glanced down, a slight nod to her head before she said lowly, "I would have guessed as much. I saw some of the killed souls … I'm honestly a little surprised some where being personally brought to Elysium by Nico and my husband."

"Surprised?" Hestia asked as she gave her niece a side-glance. "How so? From the start we said the demigods weren't our enemies unless they attacked first and a near majority are even there only on orders from the Olympians. Many did die as heroes thinking they were doing the right thing, especially those that died protecting each other."

"Maybe … but, I guess even then I was expecting a more Olympian response, not forgiveness," Persephone murmured as she glanced down for a moment.

"And we are not Olympians. We don't condemn someone just because of association but the choices they made for themselves and way they did. The goal of the council is to bring change, not endlessly repeat the cycle that has been followed since the first Titans," Hestia said with finality. "Besides, many of those demigods already paid the price with their lives. What would be the point of making them suffer more?"

Her answer was met with silence for a time as Persephone kept her eyes forward, the area around them quickly transitioning to that of one of Persephone's gardens even as their goal slowly came into view. As they walked side by side Hestia looked beyond them to the almost pristine plains and lakes.

This side of the Underworld was dotted with massive crystals growing from the cavernous ceiling, filling it with light. To one side she could see seemingly endless fields of rolling grass and trees, gently drifting in unfelt winds sprinkled with all manner of homes, from small and quaint cottages to massive estates with designs of all cultures and origins.

The peaceful Plains of Elysium. A hero's resting place.

Then, divided by massive mountains, on the other side there was a truly massive lake that could easily be mistaken for a small sea. Dotting within this lake were islands, again of varying sizes and formations, some clearly inhabited while others were not. Boats, ranging from little sail boats to large yachts, calmly sails about.

The Isles of the Blessed. A never ending paradise and resort earned only to the worthiest.

Seeing both made Hestia faintly smile as they got closer and soon, the gateways leading into each came into view. The shining marble gates guarded by two ghouls, their armor just as pristine as they stood at attention. Upon seeing Hestia and Persephone approaching, both saluted before turning towards each other as they slammed their spears down. Moments later the soft tolls of an unseen bell echoed as the gates opened, the large slabs of marble sliding seamlessly with the use of Imperial gold hinges and mechanisms hidden from plain view.

The two goddesses walked past the guards and were met with the hills of long grass as a gentle breeze pulled at their hair. Hestia let out a pleasant sigh as the two walked on, her hands idly trailing over the blades of grass tall enough to reach her fingers. It almost felt like noon with the warmth of the crystalline glow from above but here in the Plains of Elysium, there was no real night and day with the notions of time passing at its own pace in contrast to the rest of the Underworld or the world above.

Glancing to her side she could see the pleasant smile on Persephone's face as random flowers would bloom in her wake. The sight only made the lady of dragons smile more as they walked in comfortable silence. Sometimes they would pass by a hero, some napping within the silence of the fields, other grouped together to do whatever carried their fancy for the day, and even some picnic dates here and there.

All gave warm calls and greetings as the goddesses passed, some outright gawking when they realized just who Hestia was. It seemed that even within the Fields of Rest some gossip and news of the Upper world could be spread.

Soon however the goddess spotted a larger building coming into view. It was of simple design, with one large floor and rows of windows with even a white picket fence around it. Hestia even chuckled a little when she saw a tiny bell placed at the front and top of the roof. Then her eyes found a posted sign next to the door reading 'The Blofis Grade School'.

However, reading that made her smile become a little more somber.

Paul's school for the children within Elysium that died as heroes in some of the worst places around the world, often times because they gave their lives protecting someone else, be it family or dear friends. Kids that never truly had the chance to grow and learn besides enduring the environments they were born or forced into. Young souls scarred in life and tragic deaths. At least here they had the chance to grow or at least, 'grow' in the closest terms a soul could before given the choice if they wished to reincarnate or remain here.

Hestia and Persephone silently made their way to the door and quietly entered, or at least tried to. For all their care, all it took was one uneven and squeaky floorboard under Persephone's sandaled foot to undue their efforts. Instead of silently walking in and watching a class, they were met with nearly two dozen wide and curious eyes, some of the kids gasping as they looked upon the two goddesses.

The silence last all of three seconds before some unknown signal went off as the two were suddenly mobbed by excited children, all manner of questions being asked amongst the general chatter and babble. Through it all Hestia could hear some deep, full-belly laughter that drew her eyes to one Paul Blofis. Salt and pepper hair cut short and well combed along with trimmed beard, remarkably bright blues eyes brimming with mirth as he looked on. Dressed in a buttoned up shirt, dark blazer and matching pants, he looked more like a college professor.

Image aside apparently he wasn't about to end his entertainment as Hestia and Persephone worked to calm the excited children around them but after answering all manner of questions Paul finally decided to intervene with a firm clap. It seemed that this was his usual method as the children immediately tapered off as all eyes turned on him.

It was obvious his was still highly amused as a soft chuckle escaped him before he cleared his throat. "Alright kids, it seems that class ends a little early today—but—let's not forget the homework for next week!"

His announcement was met with a classic chorus of whines and groans that he took in good grace as Hestia smiled all the while. Once it died down he resumed as if it hadn't happened in the first place.

"Now, now, it's only three pages on proper grammar and sentence writing and you can work on it during study hours in class and we'll even have some upperclassmen so feel free to ask for help," he finished just before a small, chiming bell went off. "Ah, right on time."

As he said this the kids gave of excited squeals and yells as they ran to the far wall of the room and the cubies located there, chattering as they packed their bags and ran off in groups. Most waved at the two goddesses as they left which both were happy to return until all of the kids were out before Hestia turned her attention to Paul as he sighed.

"Well, that was certainly a more eventful end to the day than I expected," he said as he gave a short bow. "So, Lady Hestia and Lady Persephone, to what do I owe the pleasure of having two queens visiting my humble little school?"

"Oh Paul, you know you can call me by my given name," Hestia said kindly as she walked up to him and gave him a small hug which he returned while Persephone held to a politely returned curtsy and nod.

"Fine then, I'll keep that in mind," he said after breaking the hug, "Now not that I don't enjoy your visits but I feel this is more than a random stop."

She nodded as her smile dropped slightly as she nodded and she glanced to Persephone. The goddesses held the gaze for all of five seconds before Persephone nodded in turn.

"Well, I'll leave you two to it," she said before giving another curtsy, "A pleasure Paul, auntie." And with that she turned and saw herself out as both Hestia and Paul watched until the door closed behind her.

With the goddess gone the two were left with a moment of silence, Hestia's eyes remained locked on the door before she turned to the sound of Paul moving. She watched him as he straightened a few of the desks before moving to his desk, his hand ghosting over some papers left on it that Hestia noted were titled 'History Quiz'. Still, her eyes left the papers and rose to find those of Paul on her.

Catching his looks she shuffled her feet somewhat as she tried to find a way to broche the subject she came for. However, after letting the silence drag on she decided that being roundabout wouldn't do any good as she sighed before saying, "Paul, I need your help."

His eyes focused as she said that and he made a small 'go on gesture', his undivided attention on her.

Biting her lip for a moment her hands clenched a little tighter as she forged on.

"What was it like when Sally told you about us?" she asked softly, watching as Paul's eyes widened as she continued. "When she told you about what Percy was … and about Poseidon?"

"…"

A long silence followed her up as she looked at the deceased mortal, watching as his eyes drifted down to his desk with a slight frown marring his face. The silence persisted for some time as Hestia's nervousness grew until Paul finally looked back up at her. Without a word he stood and walked around his desk and towards a pair of chairs off to the side of the room.

To Hestia it looked like a little reading nook given the small shelves and bean-bag chairs littering the corner. She then watched as the deceased mortal carefully pulled the two chairs so that they were facing each other before sitting and gesturing to the other.

Understanding what he wanted, Hestia was quick to move and sit across from him with her hands folded on her lap as Paul rested his elbows on his knees and looked at her intently. His normally clear blue eyes seemed almost foggy as he looked at her but at the same time didn't, his brows furrowing as he seemed to think over his words before breaking the silence.

"When Sally told me about the Greek gods …" he started in a near whisper, his eyes shifting to look down through his interlaced fingers. "… That isn't a simple answer but I guess the beginning would have been confusion," he said as he then straightened up to look at her again. "I was more of a spiritual man rather than one believing in a true religion but when Sally suddenly sprung on me the actual existence of gods? With proof at that?"

He lightly shook his head with a wistful chuckle.

"I was honestly worried her drink had been laced with something but after checking several times and having some proof, well, there is only so long stubbornness born of denial can last. I asked Sally if she could give me some time alone to think, to really think about what I'd just learned and how it would change my world forever more," he said as he glanced at his hands again as his eyes darkened. "It was during that time that the uglier emotions started to rear their heads. Sure, I was awed for a moment but then I started to really think about the myths I knew and loved and suddenly, all the horrors recorded in them became all too real."

His eyes returned to her as a prominent frown made its way onto his face.

"It's one thing to hear or read ancient stories from a faraway land but to know the reasons for those stories were actually here, in the very same city? Well, to say I was terrified would have been rather mild but …" he trailed off for a moment as his frown dropped to an almost rueful smile. "… By that point I was already well and truly in love with Sally and even with my fears, I took the dive. After all, sometimes love and happiness are worth the risk," he said with a warmer smile towards the end before suddenly his entire expression darkened.

"However, even if I'd chosen to stay with her, it doesn't mean it was suddenly perfect and there came one of my most glaring issues … Percy," he said as she looked at him with wide eyes to which he nodded slowly. "I had personally liked Percy and still did but with my knew knowledge of just who is father was, an issue I imagine many couples deal with when one of them have a child from a previous relationship came back even stronger."

Paul then slowly stood up and walked around his chair to stand in front of one of the open windows, his hair lightly tasseling in a gentle breeze that passed with his back to Hestia.

"I'd always had this concern, this doubt about Poseidon and by extension, Percy himself. What if Poseidon decided to come back into Sally's life? What if Percy facilitated that, being a walking, breathing reminder of Poseidon? Before Poseidon had just been another man to me, one that once wooed my now wife and abandoned her to raise their child on her own but now? Now I knew I was literally in comparison to a god, a being that could just take Sally on a whim, and as mere mortals, our thoughts on the matter would have been irrelevant."

Paul then sighed as he half turned to look at her, his eyes boring into hers.

"Deep down I also knew Sally had some lingering feelings for Poseidon, even if she had moved on and was happy with me but, can you really blame me for having doubts? Poseidon was a god … rich, handsome, and powerful. Had Sally allowed it, he could have made her every wish and dream come true and what was I? A simple man almost past his prime that taught English and Writing and spent personal time reading old stories and debating colleagues."

He then gave a tired sigh as he fully turned and walked back towards her before letting himself drop into the chair across from her.

"Then there were my doubts about Percy," he said as he looked down and clasped his hands together. "I knew he'd been without a proper father-figure for most of his life and grew up stronger out of necessity, especially when it came to being protective of his mother. He was a demigod, a hero almost constantly risking life and limb … what could a mortal man like me possibly do for him? How could I bridge the gap between us, especially if Percy's reaction to me could easily make or break my relationship with Sally?"

Paul then raised his face as he looked at Hestia.

"But in the end that's what they turned out to be, mere doubts and fears when I only took myself into consideration and how I compared to what I thought was needed. Sally and Percy though didn't care for it, not whether I was rich and powerful, not whether I was some great hero or warrior but simply of who I was," he said as a warm smile made its way onto his face. "It wasn't a switch being flipped, no light descending on me with a great epiphany, but a slow assimilation and acknowledgement. I had to accept that I wasn't Poseidon, that I would never be him or an equal replacement of some sort, and that it was okay. That at the end of the day all that Sally and Percy wanted, and needed, was just the simple honest man named Paul Blofis," he finished, getting a soft smile out of Hestia as she rubbed at one of her eyes.

However, the tender air was quickly shifted as Paul asked her a question in turn.

"But now I wonder, what's got you asking things like that?"

Her demeanor shifted as her back went rigid for a moment, her eyes nailed to his as she felt that nervousness return. However, she only saw warmth and care in his gaze as he looked at her, even going as far as to reach over and gently cup one of her hands with his. Feeling both his concern and knowing that he would not judge her for how she felt, she told him all.

Sometimes she spoke in whispers as he patiently waited, only giving soft hums or nods to show that he was listening and ready for her to go on. At other times her voice came as a deep growl as she talked about Annabeth and what she had felt for the demigoddess turned immortal during those years on Olympus but he didn't shy away, instead squeezing her hand in support. A then she came to Cloelia and on what happened since yesterday, her voice choking up as she described Percy, his shaken state, and then the current outlook for the godling's condition.

And then of course, the only possibility for rescuing the godling from such a fate, and the cost it needed.

After she finished she turned her gaze down, feeling a familiar shame well up within her as she looked at her own trembling hands. Even now her mind tortured her with whispers, faint yet almost sinister voices that replayed her own thoughts and desires in her own voice. How Cloelia was still not only Annabeth's child, but the offspring born of the affair that broke her husband's heart.

Before, Cloelia might have been Chase's child but a child that was far away and next to no reason for her to be close to them and especially close to Percy. Hestia had been perfectly content with that distance and bore no ill will to the godling, even finding morbid amusement in knowing the girl idolized Percy. She could just picture her every praise of the Great Hero and how it would no doubt sting the likes of Apollo and Chase for various reasons.

But no more. Now the girl was very much close, too close for Hestia to remain disinterested and apathetic.

As much as she tried to deny it, she knew a part of her hated the child. For everything she represented to the constant reminder of Chase, as if she was the last obstacle against finally letting the dead rest. 'But she's just a little girl!' Hestia screamed at herself, feeling torn as to how and what she should feel versus what actually was. However before her thoughts could get too rampant she felt Paul taking up her hands as her gaze snapped up.

Meeting the calm of his bright blue eyes to her burning red, she felt herself calm if only slightly.

"Hestia …" he began gently, running his thumbs over the back of her hands. "… I know this may be sudden but, answer me honestly. Why do you always doubt yourself and your worth?" he asked, making her start as she looked at him with wide eyes.

"W-what? But I don—"

"Hestia," Paul cut in firmly, his eyes locking on hers. "… Please. I've seen those eyes in a mirror before and I know something is scaring you … something is making you doubt."

As he said that Hestia couldn't help but look down, refusing to meet his gaze even as he continued to speak.

"Perhaps you're scared that Percy will accept Cloelia as his daughter?" he asked.

"Of course he would," she mumbled softly, her eyes starting to sting as her words carried through. "He would never save her just to toss her into an orphanage or onto someone else. He would demand to be part of her life, to take care of her … to be the father he didn't have."

"And are you angry at him for that?" Paul asked tentatively only for her to shake her head.

"How could I? Him being the way he is, is the reason I fell in love with him … even if I didn't have a chance at the time," she replied softly, her throat starting to burn as her hands clenched.

"Then do you doubt him?" Paul asked only for Hestia to look up at the spirit with confusion in her eyes. "Do you think that he'll favor Cloelia and forget about you?"

"Of course not!" Hestia bit back, affronted that Paul would even suggest such a thing. "He loves me and would never do something like that!"

"Then what are you sacred of?" Paul retorted, his eyes firm and unflinching from her tone. "You trust Percy and you accept that he would take on Cloelia as his daughter should he save her, so what? Annabeth has passed on, my Chaos keep her, so why does a godling's presence scare you? Would you think her a threat after everything that's happened to her?" he asked sharply as Hestia turned her gaze away, tears starting to well-up in her eyes.

She heard Paul sigh but she refused to look, her lips trembling until she froze at what Paul said next.

"Or … are you scared of what else Cloelia would need. After all, if Percy becomes her father, she'll still need a mother."

Silence descended after Paul stopped, the goddess frozen as what he said played over and over in her head.

… How?

How could she have missed such a simple yet crucial fact? This wasn't just a matter of agreeing for Percy to save the child or not but a full on commitment that included Rhea, Andromeda and herself as his wives. She knew her husband, understood where his heart rested, and the very principles he tried to live by.

If he adopted Cloelia, the child would be irrevocably in their lives. Percy wouldn't even entertain the thought of saving the child only to leave her in Leto's Orphanage or under the care of servants. He would take responsibility, even with his time already stretched thin as it was with the war. And yet, it wasn't feasible for him to do it alone, especially with the condition Cloelia could be in due to the adoption.

Young godlings needed to maintain close contact with their divine parents, their domains, or others of similar essence to help stabilize them as they grew into themselves. For most gods, who matured from infant to young adult in as short as a few months to a couple of years, it was a but a blink of their immortal lives. Cloelia wasn't so lucky in such regards. Being the rare case of enduring maturation at a near mortal pace, her stabilization would take significantly longer and with the power she could inherit, that could make her presence potentially volatile to most of the lower tier gods.

She would need near constant watch of at least one of the primordial just to make sure her core didn't flare up and if it did, to contain the fallout. Better yet would be if Percy or maybe one of his Shadows to be around since the feel of his presence would naturally calm Cloelia and the chance of Cloelia's new power harming him was near zero.

And yet, they were at war. Percy simply did not have the time to be a constant presence and the idea of splitting himself into multiple bodies was off the table. The last thing they needed was their king and strongest warrior fighting at anything less than full capacity should Pontus or one of the stronger sea deities make a move.

No. That risk was too great but that still left them with the need to have someone close to the child that was either powerful enough or similar in essence to safely interact and if necessary restrain her but also capable of comforting the godling. The list of possible candidates was already slim as is and even then, it pointed to the very fact Paul had brought up.

Cloelia would need a second adoptive parent, someone that could be with her when Percy wasn't. But then, that need cut the list even more since two adopting divine beings needed to have some form of bond between each other to begin with. Otherwise the risk of Essence Rejection could occur within the adopted being in question and results could get messy. Even more so considering Cloelia had already assimilated some of Percy's essence and was practically a pseudo-daughter as is.

That meant that only three actual options existed; Rhea, Andromeda, and … herself.

'B-but … could—would one of us do it?' she thought only to shake her head as the answer immediately came to her.

Andromeda.

While Rhea was neutral in regards to Cloelia, Hestia didn't doubt that Andromeda had closely monitored the young godling since Chase had visited their mountain. If asked Andromeda wouldn't even hesitate to go and adopt Cloelia with Percy. 'Would Andy even tolerate the thought of not doing anything for Cloelia?' she wondered, having not considered her second wife's feelings on the matter. Sure, Andy might not be queen like herself and Rhea but then this wasn't a council issue.

This was personal to them and so Andy's stance and voice was equal to herself, Rhea, and Percy. And now Hestia felt a sinking in her gut as she realized it and was appalled. Yes she had her own misgivings left even with Annabeth gone but to think she'd just assumed her choice alone mattered most? That sinking sensation went straight to knotting.

"Hestia?" Paul asked, breaking her from her thoughts as she looked at him.

He had a small frown of concern and now she just realized he'd been holding her hand too.

"Are you okay? You got very pale suddenly," he said.

"I'm …" she was about to say 'fine' but one look at the worry in Paul's eyes did away with it, making her relent. "No. I just … I don't know what to do or how to feel about all this."

Paul remained silent as she gave a tired sigh, her shoulders dropping as she looked at her own hands. Did Rhea and Andromeda even know about Cloelia's condition yet? They were aware of the godling being present, that was assured, but they still needed to know this and discuss it all together.

"I need to talk to the others too," she found herself saying, her gaze still low. "But I'm scared," she said, a slight tremble to her voice. "Scared of telling them how I feel and how they'll take it. I'm already disgusted with myself … who's to say they won't be too?"

She sniffed a little as she tapered off, imagining those very reactions. And worse was that no matter how much she may want to hide it, Andromeda could get a read on her all too easily and know exactly how she felt. However she was broken out of her thoughts as Paul squeezed her hands, gaining her attention.

"Hestia … I can understand that you're worried but I need you to do something for me," he said gently, looking straight into her eyes as she slowly nodded. "I need you to have faith. I know how hard grudges can be and what they do to you, after all, I see it in Percy's eyes every time Poseidon is mentioned," he continued, his own eyes darkening for a moment as well. "Fears too, regardless if they are irrational or not and no matter what you feel, its the actions that you take that matter. That's why I need you to have faith and trust in your husband and wives. Trust them to hear you and understand where you are coming from, trust so that you can all work towards a solution because this is not a choice any of you can or should make alone."

As he finished he slowly stood up and guiding Hestia to do the same before he pulled her into a hug.

"Can you do that for me?" he asked as he rubbed circles into her back.

Her eyes stung at his words but so did it warm her heart. She took a shaky breath before she nodded into his shoulder.

"Good."

With that he pulled back and pulled a handkerchief from a vest pocket to lightly dab at her eyes and clearing the few tears that formed.

"Now, I believe Sally should be getting back from meeting with the judges for the morning trails so why don't we head back to our house and get some tea?" he asked, his voice more uplifting as he tucked away the handkerchief. "You look like you could use the pick-me up before returning to the upper world."

As he said that he guided her through the room and out of the school, another breeze rolling over them as Paul turned them towards a path leading off to the rolling hills. As they walked Hestia glanced at him as a soft smile played on her lips, her shoulders feeling just a little lighter after their talk.

She knew he was right and that she needed to trust in her spouses but knowing that she already had his understanding and support helped. 'I'll go straight to telling them the moment I return to the surface,' she promised herself as she let the soft breezes and warmth of the plains soothe her…


With Allen, Noon, Olympian Army

He couldn't stop the tremble of his knee as he looked down at his hands caked in dried blood, his breathing deep and slow as he tried to calm himself. He'd just gotten back from making another round checking his division after being up all night helping bring in some of the injured demigods left of Athena's Vanguard to Apollo's med-tent, the last being a demigoddess that barely missed being crushed by a falling chariot. Her left leg hadn't been as lucky and Allen honestly wasn't sure if the limb could be saved.

With a grimace he shook his head as he did away with the thought, instead trying to focus on his immediate surroundings. The panicky murmurs and sound of pacing, scratching, and shuffling around him did little to help his nerves. His deep grey eyes shifted as he heard a muttered curse, watching as one Clarisse La Rue was gathering a dropped shell for her modified Desert Eagle.

Listening and now watching as the veteran demigoddess endlessly unload and reload the clip, at times popping out the rounds to check them before replacing them was driving the demigod mad at this point. A whisper in the back of his head just wanted him to get up, grab the damned thing from her hands, and smack her with it. He wasn't about to indulge though, not with the seething rage within her eyes, the blood caking some of her hair only making her look near rabid. Last thing he needed was to give Clarisse a focus for her own agitation.

So instead he tore his eyes off her and looked around, watching as other demigods and the mortal commanders of each division sat or paced near their spots within the large table centered in the command tent. At the head of the table was the spot for the gods to sit, some still not being present and the reason the meeting wasn't underway. Those that were present weren't doing much better than the mortals, many shifting in their seats and looking around as if they expected an attack to come from any shadow, almost non-existent as they were.

He glanced around the near absurd number of lights present within the large tent. Magical torches hung from above while modified mortal lamps were set at foot level, bathing everything in some form of light and minimizing the possible shadows. It was all done in an effort to cut off points for the primordial to possibly spy on them along with a barrier so densely powered that even Allen could sense it encompassing the tent and formed solely for preventing the 'extended gaze' of divine beings.

He'd asked about it once and his sister had explained it to him as a way gods could directly see through the substance or objects/beings connected and associated with their domains. Of course, given the nature of domains and the connections formed, the barrier couldn't truly cut a god off but was more suited to 'scrambling the signal' and making spying far harder.

Of course the present gods were also constantly monitoring their surroundings, searching for any presence not associated with them but so far everything has come off as clean within the camp. The surrounding forest on the other hand, well, from the mutterings going around the gods couldn't detect anything but the presence of Rhea saturating every tree and the earth around them.

'And as if we couldn't get more bad news,' he thought with a heavy snort as his gaze fell on the table before him.

Knowledge of Rhea's presence and her ascended status spread like wildfire moments after the attacking primordial pulled back and the army somewhat moved past the initial shock of Artemis' death. Though her abilities beyond direct combat couldn't be confirmed and Hera wasn't exactly chatty about her thrashing at the hands of her former mother so no one dared ask.

The attack had basically shot an arrow through the knee of the collective army. Over a hundred demigods simply vanishing, most assumed dead even if Allen suspected more along the lines of kidnapping after having had the primordial offer for sanctuary confirmed by his sister. After all many of those taken were in fact part of Athena's Vanguard and his siblings along with many young demigods that he knew didn't want to fight in this war to begin with.

If he were colder by nature he'd say the attack was somewhat of a failure in some aspects due to who they targeted for their kidnappings since they took the younger, weaker, and less threatening demigods. An ambush like last night would have far more devastating effects if they'd taken/killed more of the stronger and experienced demigods, especially the veterans, and left the young ones to incite more panic.

But, even if dead or not, the effect of last night's attack was chokingly palpable. After counting the MIA demigods, another hundred or so were unquestionably dead thanks to the bodies left. Allen needed only close his eyes and the image of Craceus being pulled apart by those branches would appear. Shivering he shoved that memory away as quickly as it came, his mind focusing on the reports of the night instead.

Though figures were still being determined and since no one wanted to risk moving into the forest surrounding them beyond the clearing the closest estimates were about some 200 to possibly 300 casualties within demigod ranks alone. Of those loses, the majority was dealt to three divisions; Athena's Vanguard, Hera's Escort mainly consisting of Amazons, and Artemis' Hunt. While Allen assumed a large number of those from his mother's division were thanks to being the rescue/kidnapping of the demigods given the lack of bodies, the other two divisions suffered a far grimmer fate.

Artemis' Hunt was gone.

At least half of Artemis' odd hundred or so hunters had been butchered with huntresses cut to pieces, bodies broken, and left as mauled corpses. The cleanup was sickening to say the least and most the demigods doing the recovering couldn't even sleep or eat afterwards, himself included. He could only pray that his three sisters in the Hunt had been taken since their bodies hadn't been found. The rest of the members left were either those that had been routed or left over after Percy took Artemis away to fight.

Allen wondered if any of those girls would join other divisions or even think of fighting again after last night. Following the Hunt's complete lose was Hera's Escort, a group mainly formed of Amazons and some demigods selected by Hera for their skill … and bloodthirst. It wasn't surprising the few males in that group had been sons of Ares and extremely vocal towards attacking soon, something that Hera had been encouraging.

If anything their casualties had been the highest among any division and unlike much of the demigods declared MIA, the losses to Hera's division were decidedly KIA. And most of those loses could be attested to the battle between Rhea and Hera, the clash of the two goddesses having mulched any mortal trying to interfere. Of course Hera's Amazons tried to back their patron as much as they could, even going as far as throwing themselves into danger just to injure the primordial.

It did little good from what Allen had seen later on, with Rhea only sporting light injuries while Hera had a shattered arm, broken armor, and lost a good chunk of some of her best Amazons. Her second in command, Hylla, had been furious as she led those recovery efforts while ignoring her own broken foot and limp after having taken a counter from Rhea and dodging the worst of the hit. At least, that was assuming Rhea had been aiming higher up and Hylla escaped a possibly fatal hit to her body.

As for the last bit of casualties, the loses had been rather spread out through other divisions but, as if to add more salt to the wound, those casualties had been more along the lines of friendly fire and collateral. Several demigods were found trampled in the confusion by Party Ponies, some hit and crushed when the chariots of the minor gods were blasted out of the skies, and some had been caught near explosive, Styx-fire rounds fired by panicking demigods trying to take out the ambushing wolves.

"What a mess," he murmured under his breathe before his attention was caught as someone sat in the chair next to him.

His eyes met intense gaze of the only living praetor, Reyna, her light brown eyes narrowed as she sat stiffly, her helm held under one arm. He saw her glance down to his bloody hands, her eyes softening for just a moment before she nodded slightly and looked towards the table while muttering, "Indeed."

He followed her line of sight just as the tent flap opened and Hylla along with a near look-alike to Reyna to the point Allen could have mistaken her for the third, eldest Ramirez-Arellano sister. He watched as Bellona walked in, her own helm and most of her armor gone save for her dirty breastplate covered in scratches and one cut that looked like it almost made it through. The goddess also had several bandages wrapped around her left arm, several splotches of gold appearing underneath it along with the large bruise over her left eye.

Hylla wasn't much better than her mother, sporting numerous cuts and without the breastplate showing her shirt caked in blood. Most worryingly of all was the fact that she was more or less hobbling in with a crutch under her right arm, her right leg from the middle of the shin down covered in thick wrappings that even now looked to be gaining a red coloration. Rumor was that Hylla managed to rush and slice into Rhea's thigh before the winged goddess gave a wild swing back at her just as the demigoddess tried to pull back. The glancing blow had apparently crushed the thin layers of bronze guarding Hylla's ankle behind it. It was only sheer coincidence that Hera attacked the goddess moments after Hylla, the collision knocking her away before she could finish the downed Amazon queen.

Hylla had been dragged to nearby combat-medics but unfortunately luck had not been the on the Amazon queen's side. The metal of the guard had cut into her ankle and the bone was crushed with the break near the bottom of her shin stabbing out of the skin. They'd managed to cut off the bleeding and tried to set some of the bone but it proved fruitless, the point of impact having shattered much of the bone and torn up key tendons.

After the primordial pulled back and some order had been restored, Hylla was rushed to the medic tents and given the best emergency treatment they could but there was only so much that could be done. Even now when the Amazon queen should be resting she was up and about even with an injury that might get worse if she agitates it more. Allen shuddered at the thought of walking around with an injury like that but he guessed Hylla must be in so much pain and then high off adrenaline and medication that she couldn't even feel it at the moment.

The murmur and movement in the tent was reduced at the presence of one of the commanding goddesses and mortal leader of the Amazons, some even nodding in their direction but they didn't respond as Bellona instead sat at one of the head chairs and looked down at the crudely drawn map of the camp and their surroundings leading to the mountain some miles away. Hylla wordlessly moved and took the seat next to Reyna and Allen could hear the knuckles of the praetor popping as she clenched her fist when she looked at her sister's injury. With the newest arrivals ignoring them most retuned to what they were doing, such as the quiet Hephaestus as he silently tinkered with some wiring and bolts.

Looking at the god now Allen felt a pit forming in his gut as it reminded him of how both Leo and Annabeth disappeared in the middle of the attack. He didn't know why and hadn't gotten the time to asking around but the way Hephaestus seemed more nervous than what he'd shown recently, that didn't fill Allen with good feelings. However his attention was drawn to the entrance flap again as the final gods arrived; Zeus, Hera … and Apollo.

Allen had already seen the two former in passing several times over the night as he helped with the recovery, organized the groups he could, and made rounds. Zeus was tired but showed no injuries while Hera had her left arm in a makeshift cast and going by the way her breathing was shallow, he guessed possibly cracked if not outright broken ribs. Luckily by godly standards, Hera would recover within 2 to 3 days at most and be ready for combat again. However it was Apollo that took not only his attention, but of the commanders in the tent as a whole.

Unlike all of them Apollo looked exactly the same way he did since the attack, armor and all but what was worrying was his seeming disregard for his own injuries. Allen could clearly see the dents in his breastplate, the stab wound in his left bracer that was caked with dried ichor, and the crusty cut he had on the side of his head. None of them had been treated or even cleaned and no one dared so much as point them out.

Allen hadn't thought much of the god even before his sister ascended to godhood and married him and that opinion all but dropped to the dirt when Apollo's infidelity became known. Still, he'd viewed the god as a relatively laid-back dude and irresponsible ass at times that obviously couldn't keep it in his pants though he did respect the god for his medical prowess and archery skill. However, even through all that Apollo had still been one of the more approachable gods.

Allen couldn't honestly place that past god with the one before him.

This god that walked in was more comparable to the likes of Artemis and Hera. His frame was nearly steaming and his eyes were completely covered with a harsh golden glow even as his face remained worryingly rigid. His steps were heavy and it echoed in the sudden silence of the tent as he took his seat while the ambient temperature in the tent rose from uncomfortable to outright sweltering.

Allen could feel the sweat trailing down his forehead as glanced around, seeing how everyone had gotten stiff and avoided eye contact with the god. The very god that had, up until now, refused to move from his kneeing position in front of Artemis' bow. It hadn't mattered who called him or what they did to try and get his attention, he'd ignored them all in favor of staring at his sister's dead symbol as silent tears streamed down his face.

A part of Allen wished the god was still there rather than here now as he shifted in his seat, other gods and mortals alike mirroring him as Zeus cleared his throat to get their attention. As one they all turned their head to look even as Apollo didn't but again, no one called attention to it.

"Are all commanders gathered?" Zeus asked as he did a quick scan, nodding as he did so before continuing. "Report, how is the status of the army?" he barked as his attention fell first on Bellona, the defacto leader of the army when Zeus was otherwise occupied.

The goddess didn't so much as blink at the tone as she began. "Overall recovery of the bodies within the bounds of the clearing is done and so far, 287 demigods are confirmed dead or missing. As for the injured demigods, the number is surprisingly low with few being of grave nature," she said and no one missed the way she glanced at her near-crippled daughter. "All have already been tended to or are in the med-tents as we speak and most should be fit to return active roles within the a week, maybe sooner if checked by our Chief Healer," she said with a pointed look at Apollo.

The sun god actually turned his head to look at her, his glowing eyes narrowing as he all but growled, "I'll get to them soon enough," before he looked back to the map on the table.

A tense silence fell upon the tent for a moment as some shifted in their seats before Bellona continued.

"We lost a collection of Party Ponies but I'm jutting that down as routing and deserters given that they aren't exactly the most ordered or loyal of groups under our banner." There was an uncomfortable pause as they watched Bellona drum her fingers on the table as she glanced down for a moment, seemingly thinking about the next piece but she then looked up and spoke. "As for the minor gods … anywhere from a third to half are gone."

That got a start out of the commanders and even Apollo's gaze snapped to her at the statement, confused and shocked looks abounding.

"… What?" Zeus asked lowly, his voice carrying a near echo of crackling as his eyes flashed.

Showing her millennia of experience in military discipline and nerve Bellona didn't falter at having the attention on her as she explained.

"We can confirm either from witnesses or evidence left that many gods were felled during the lightning attacks and several torn apart once on the ground by their surroundings or even facing the attacking gods. However, over a dozen gods were not seen at any point during the attack and have not been found since, including the likes of Phobos and Deimos. Chase and Valdez were also noted to have left in the middle of the attack and I also received IM's from Lady Demeter and Chiron that several of the minor gods tasked with the protection of New Rome also disappeared around the time of the attack while Valdez was later seen in the city," she finished as silence fell upon them once again.

Allen could practically see the thoughts churning, explanations brought up and discarded as the commanders digested the news. A pressure started to build up within the tent as several faces started to redden, or golden, with rage as more and more came to similar conclusions.

"Deserters," Hera hissed, the brown of her eyes starting to gain a coppery glow as her frame shook but before she could continue, Hephaestus surprisingly cut in.

"Worse … traitors," he said, his tone grim as he set down the tiny automaton he fashioned to look at the surrounding commanders, some looking at him pointedly the moment his son was named as one of the gods that left.

"Even your own son who turned tail in the middle of battle?" asked Ioke hotly, one of the bloodthirsty goddesses leading in the minor god forces, and under Bellona's command.

Allen tensed slightly as seeing the way the raven-haired goddess was fingering a knife strapped to the inside of her left arm bracer as her dull-red eyes narrowed on the god of Fire and Metalworking.

"No," Hephaestus replied as his eyes hardened as they stared back at the goddess. "But Leo messaged me a few hours ago and told me there was an attack on Ogygia. From what Calypso managed to tell him, some of the gods charged with protecting New Rome were part of the attackers. He managed to arrive, Chase not far behind him, and get to Calypso before anything serious could be done to her but the main attackers left before they arrived." Hephaestus' face darkened as his fist clenched when he continued, "They took Chase's daughter with them and baited her to follow."

"Who led them and where?" Allen asked before he could think on it, his entire frame rigid as he listened, his fists clenched up to the point his knuckles were visibly paling under the dried blood.

"Olympus," Hermes answered as the attention was turned on him even as Hephaestus nodded. "I've been getting reports from some of my messengers left in Manhattan that they felt a battle on the mountain, including several gods assuming divine form … and then fading."

"And supposedly they were led by Pallas," Hephaestus added making everyone snap to him, eyes wide and disbelief.

"Impossible, he's supposed to be trapped in Tartarus!" Zeus all but declared as if it were absolute truth and to contest it was blasphemy, his nostrils flaring in growing agitation.

"Apparently not," Hephaestus retorted, for once not backing down from the gaze of his father. "And even if untrue, Calypso's claims cannot just be dismissed to mere shell-shock from an attack. The fact is that there was an attack under a powerful leader, Cloelia—your granddaughter—was taken, and Annabeth pursued to what seems to have been Olympus. There was another battle and several of Hermes best in the area felt gods fading. Now I don't know about you but I think we need to get a team there immediately and check everything to see who faded and if possible look for signs of Anna—"

"Don't bother," Apollo cut in, making some jump at the suddenness of it as they turned to look at the god.

"… Don't bother?" Allen question lowly as he slowly stood up as he glared at the god. "Don't bother?" he asked again before slamming his hands on the table making it shake as some flinched at the action. "That's my sister you're talking about and your daughter! If anyone should already be there searching for them it's you, you bastard!" he practically snarled at the sun god.

Nothing else could be heard aside from Allen's near panting as his eyes remained glued to Apollo's glowing ones, neither backing down. The more rational part of Allen's mind, the part that realized just how much danger he'd put himself in and was begging him to apologize and back down, was viciously overruled by the enraged part demanding an answer from the god that dared dismiss a search effort for his sister.

However he still felt a shiver run up his spine as Apollo slowly moved, his right hand overlapping his left where there was a brief glow beneath it. When it faded everyone watched as he pulled something off his finger before he held it up.

It was a faded gold ring, the metal looking oddly dull and worn with even a few cracks running the length.

A gasp from Hera was largely ignored as Apollo let the ring go, the ping of the metal hitting and bouncing on the table echoing in the tent. When it finally settled, many looked at the sun god and the ring in confusion while some gods paled or cursed, fists clenching as they glared at the jewelry. Allen wasn't sure on what the ring meant or why Apollo even showed it to them but just looking at the thing filled him with dread.

"A broken matrimony ring for a godly union, something that only happens through a divorce … or if one or both of the pair die," Apollo said, his voice scathing as he looked at Allen, steaming coming in bursts from his eyes that Allen now realized must have been tears evaporating as they came. "So tell me demigod, why bother searching for my wife when I know she's already dead?"

Allen felt all the air leave his lungs as he looked at the ring, a white noise filling his ears as his legs gave out and he fell back in his chair. He didn't bother to look around to see how the others were taking the news, instead his thoughts revolving not only around the loss of his sister but of her daughter.

"What about Cloelia?" he asked, his voice cracking as he felt the sting in the back of his eyes but he held back as much as he could.

His question got the general attention and most seemed unsure what to say for a few moments before Apollo spoke again, his clipped tone bordering on resigned contempt.

"I can sense her nearby on that mountain but it's faint and getting weaker."

Silence fell again as some shifted in their seats, looking around to see how they would continue from there. Zeus cleared his throat to regain attention at some point and ask another commander about the condition of their division but Allen started to tune them out. He own thoughts were on how this news could affect his siblings and his mother…


With Percy, A Few Hours Later

The primordial god slowly opened his eyes as a heavy sigh escaped him, a cool mist flowing out as he started to sit up. He didn't even need to glance to the side to know he was alone this morning … or was it more appropriate to say afternoon? Regardless he got up and paused for a moment as he caught his reflection in the vanity of one of his wives. His dark-flamed eyes looked as his hand came up to trace the small, pale line running across his left cheek before it lowered to his ribs. There was another, longer line that flowed beneath the last rib.

The temporary evidence of his battle against the late lunar goddess.

However his eyes then focused on his right hand, the very one he'd used to trace the nearly faded lines, and noticed the uneven shading of his knuckles and minute tear lines. The damaged done to him in a pseudo-divine form and permanent reminder of the battle on the moon.

With a sigh he lowered his hand as he got out of the bed before, with but a thought, was surrounded in a cocoon of darkness for all of five seconds. Once it dissipated he was revealed to be fully changed into mere dark jeans, black boots, a grey shirt, and his Coat of Darkness fashioned into much like a leather jacket sitting snuggly of his lithe frame. The moment he finished he left his room and headed in the direction of the entrance as he sensed for any others in the house and found none.

'Probably best … could use a little quiet,' he thought as he made it to the main doors and walked down the steps, his gaze shifting off to his right. The planet below continued its slow spin but beyond its horizon his eyes focused on a black spot that couldn't even be illuminated by the sun. For a moment he remembered of times long gone, of the days when he was but a boy who would gaze upon that silvery splendor for hours at night. Now the seemingly empty, scarred, and dead moon was swallowed up in darkness and left adrift.

… His Darkness.

'How times have changed.' A tired sigh escaped him as he turned his eyes away the bitter reminder as he walked down the steps of the landing, each footfall echoing out into the void beyond until he stepped over the edge. For a moment he floated, hi wings pulled tight against his back and his eyes centered on the immense globe below him before the first pulls of gravity began to take him. He started to descend, his face unfazed as the planet got closer.

The fall gained momentum by the second as speed started to build but he paid it no mind as his gaze drifted up. His eyes looked on into the expansive abyss full of faraway lights and shapes as it got farther and farther away. Soon he felt himself enter the first layers of the Earth's atmosphere and felt the pressure build against him, his jacket starting to billow lightly. It seemed to last for ages before, like a sudden breeze passing over him, he entered the next layer.

There was a spike in heat and sound a sort of sizzle could be heard as a distortion of pressure began to surround him as his fall got even faster. As the heat rose an orange glow started to surround him but it didn't faze him, barely registering as a warm breeze to him. Then there was another jump in pressure as a familiar and inviting coolness enveloped him, his frame now steaming. He glanced up to see the dark void having become a dark blue sky, the stars he usually looked upon all but hidden from his gaze.

He then looked down, his eyes roving over the expansive layer of white and grey fluff tinted with shades of orange and red from the overhead sun. Closing his eyes he let himself drift back as if laying down for a nap, his arms and legs left to stretch as the muted throb of his fall become a dull roar as wind billowed around him. He didn't count the time as he simply immersed himself in the sensation of the careless fall.

Idly he wondered if he looked like a fallen angel cast from the heavens…

His musing were left unanswered as he felt his body punch through the thick clouds, bathing him in a wet and cool mist. Mere seconds later he was out and yet fell into another, the process repeating itself several times as the sound of wind was replaced with bellows of thunder and hissing rain. Then finally he fell through the last cloud, the chorus of rain and occasional boom of thunder after a flash of lightning being his only company as his eyes opened yet again.

He could feel the ground getting closer by the second as he slowly shifted again, his stance straighter with his legs directly beneath him as his gaze looked down. Even with the storming clouds, thick rain, and dark gloom he could make out familiar forests and a distant city beyond but it was the hills, forest, and coast beneath him that really took his attention as the minutes passed by.

The ground was getting even closer, so close in fact that he would soon hit a skyscraper should there be one but still he didn't react. He was getting so close should any mortal or monster look up, they would clearly see him. Then, from what could have been mere moments before he crashed into the Earth, his wings stretched with a thunderous clap.

The wind billowed around him with a pulse of pressure that shook the very ground beneath him as the rain was pushed away for but a second, the closest trees swaying dangerously. However it was only a moment before it passed as the rain fell upon him again, leaving the winged deity to float effortlessly even as the downpour continued around him as he took in his surroundings.

"Of all the places to land," he mused softly as he took in the familiar and once welcoming sight of Camp Half-Blood.

He floated a dozen feet or so above the very hill he traversed his first time here, the sight of his battle against the Minotaur and the true beginning of his adventures as a demigod. His eyes found the iconic tree marking the barrier once isolating and protecting this demigod sanctuary.

But no more.

Gone was the barrier and its protections, the camp left as bear to the elements as Thalia's Pine now that the Golden Fleece and Peleus had been moved to Mount Cartier during their declaration of War. Once it was an ever-constant summer, the grounds covered in lush greenery and the scent of wild strawberries being grown in the surrounding fields along with the clangs of metal working and training in the background. The constant shouts of dozens to hundreds of demigods spending time perfecting their crafts, learning and passing on their skills, or simply enjoying their holidays.

Now it all lay empty, the drone of the rain covering what would be an unnatural silence. His eyes looked on, unbothered by the rain or shadows as he took it all in. The Big House at alone atop another hill, the windows dark and the porch untouched. The armory and arenas left quiet off in the distance.

His eyes fell as he let himself fall the last dozen feet until he landed with a muffled splash before he began to walk towards the very center of the camp, his eyes catching small cracks and trenches from Rhea's 'attack'. Some trees were felled and merely left as they were, most of the nymphs having retreated deep into the surrounding forests or to new areas entirely.

He only gave a passing glance to the amphitheater, seeing the cracked sections of seats and broken fire-pit, the last logs used spilled over and off. His gaze then moved to the collection of buildings and the large hearth built into the center of them all, his eyes dulling in sadness as he walked up to it. The sight of his wife's empty hearth, the logs within long since extinguished and cold as the bowl of the hearth filled with rain.

He then looked around, noting some of the changes made to the cabins ever since he left over ten years ago. A few notable additions for once unrecognized minor gods were a given but some cabins also looked like they'd been expanded to fit the newer flux of demigods. Some of the cabins looked broken though, either completely or partially swallowed by the earth and many overrun with weeds and vines unknown to the area.

One glance over his shoulder to one of the leading cabins told him all he needed to know about the cabin he once called his second home. Nothing but turned soil was left. No plants, no marks, no traces of Poseidon ever having a claim here. Kind and compassionate by nature she may be but when Rhea wanted to, she could be as vindictive as the best of them.

Granted the cabin next to it was proof that Rhea wasn't the only one capable of the emotion given that Zeus and Hera's cabins were blown up from the center, the charring left on the marble leaving little doubt as to how that happened. The irony of a bolt of lightning destroying his own cabin must have stung the paranoid bastard like nothing else.

He could easily imagine Thalia's self-satisfied smile as she did it.

The thought got a snort out of him as his gaze moved on, noting how most of the other cabins were left alone save for the Ares and Artemis cabins. The Ares cabin was partially buried and a wall broken in from a rather large tree falling on it while Artemis' cabin looked to have been shaken to the point fractures lined the walls and part of the roof caved in.

However when his eyes settled on a particular cabin with a primary color of grey, he paused. He slowly looked over the banner left over the door, the once proud symbol of Athena bogged down by the unrelenting rain. For a moment he couldn't help but picture the goddess, her eyes losing their luster as tears came unbidden and her cries of loss echoing in his head.

He could imagine what the goddess must be like now and that was considering her learning of Cloelia's condition. His fist clenched at the thought of the godling, an innocent child that had nothing to do with this, lying on what could be her deathbed. Taking a deep breath and then giving a slow exhale as the temperatures around him dropped, he started walking towards the cabin.

The moment he got to the door he gently took the handle and turned it, unsurprised to find it unlocked, before opening it and looking in. The sight only brought a pang to his heart. He'd been in here many times before during his years of quests and to simply visit his late ex. The controlled chaos of the Athena Cabin had carried a certain charm to it, the walls coated in pictures, plans, and blueprints, all manner of small weapons collected on the far wall, and of course, the little space dedicated to each bed and the personalization of the owners.

Now it was merely chaos left in the wake of abandonment. The walls were mostly bare with only the oldest and faded maps left, the small armory stripped clean, and what was saddest of all to him, the abandoned items left to the beds. Clothes was tossed about, some picture frames and little mementos left either forgotten or simply left with no time to spare.

He slowly walked in, his black-flamed eyes taking it in as his breathe misted over with every exhaled, the sound of water droplets falling off him and onto the dusted floors echoing with him. He paused as he looked at a small frame left on the edge of a bed, the glass fogged over the image. Gently wiping his finger across it, the picture of a smiling blonde boy, probably in his upper teens giving a piggy-back ride to a more familiar blonde little girl.

'The last one left from that group of Hunters,' he thought before picking up the frame and turning it over to find two names. 'Lola and her brother Allen.' Idly taking a step as he still looked at the picture, he was surprised to hear a small squeak as he stepped on something. Glancing down he saw a small stuffed bunny plushy, the toy seemingly looking up in his direction. Kneeling down to pick it up he took a moment to admire the clear skill used to make it.

The seams were even and tight knit, the cloth used showing the wear after years of use still being in good condition, and even a few repair jobs made to look like colorful additions to the mostly white plushy. He could practically feel the affection and care that went into making this but also in the way it was well taken care of and precious to the receiver.

One check of the back left foot showed a little tag with the inscription 'For Lola'.

A soft sigh escaped him as he stood straight again, looking around the cabin as shadows started to gather and merge around pictures and other items left about the cabin. With but a thought said items started to sink into the shadows, to be kept safe until he hopefully had a chance to return them to their owners. Another two portals opened near his hands as he deposited the picture and plushy away before he felt a shift in the shadows just outside the cabin.

He slowly turned as the soft steps came as the door opened to reveal none other than Raven, his daughter's icy blue eyes glowing within the gloom of the cabin.

"Papa…" she murmured softly as she approached him.

He didn't question it as she walked up until she could lean against him and bury her face into his chest, instead merely wrapping his arms around her and rubbing circles into her back. He felt her nuzzle into it for a moment before pulling back to look up at him.

"What is it sweetheart?" he asked as he raised a hand to her head and gently ran his fingers through her hair making her relax somewhat even as her gaze fell at his question.

"Mama said we should leave you alone for a bit but we really need you back on the mountain," she replied as she looked back up at him.

"We?" he asked.

Raven nodded as her eyes gained a more serious intensity. "It's Athena … Cloelia's getting worse and Athena isn't doing much better."

"Worse?" he asked as he stopped trailing his hands through her hair, his eyes narrowing at this news.

"Will did another scan and Cloelia's starting to show signs of Essence Decay," Raven answered as she took a step back. "The way she integrated your essence from the curse on Riptide was patchwork at best and it's starting to pull apart at the seams."

Percy clenched his fist as he took a deep breath to steady himself looking to his daughter.

"How long?" he asked, dreading the answer but needing to know as he already started to visualize Will's clinic.

Raven's face fell as she answered, "A week at best, a couple of days at worst."

Percy held back a curse as he instead nodded as he heard that before asking, "And Athena?"

That got a grimace from his daughter but she answered nonetheless.

"It's bad. Medusa tried to take her back to their house but Athena wouldn't leave and then found out about Cloelia. She hasn't slept since and won't leave Cloelia's side no matter what we say and we don't want things getting physical." Raven then paused as she glanced around for a moment before returning her gaze to him. "And … she tried healing Cloelia herself."

"What!?" Percy asked sharply which only made Raven jump. He tried to calm down, just managing as he gave a frustrated sigh as he ran a hand through his hair. "That idiot, is she trying to get herself killed?" he griped as he thought on the goddess.

Athena was still linked to the bounds of The West and so was out of her territory while on the mountain meaning she couldn't even recover her divine power but was slowly losing it. She'd already been low to begin with thanks to the state she was captured in and her attempts at initial escape with flaring her power in large bursts. Eating ambrosia and nectar while limiting the use of divine power to near zero did more to stall the loss than actually recover.

But no! The goddess had to go and try divine healing even when she was in no condition to even think about it. An agitated growl rumbled within the confines of his chest as he looked at his worried daughter and asked, "Why am I only now learning about this?"

"Because we were trying to handle it but she's been either ignoring us or asking about you the moment she failed to heal Cloelia," Raven responded.

He looked at his daughter for a few moments, mildly upset that she didn't come to him or one of the other council members sooner. However he could understand that they were only trying to help and tried to handle things on their own first before looking for help.

"She hasn't tried a transfer of power has she?" he asked.

Raven quickly shook her head in the negative.

"Good. Then let's go before she gets desperate enough to change that," he instructed as he held out his hand to his daughter who took it immediately.

Sparing one last glance around the cabin he promised himself to return and check the other cabins before both disappearing in a burst of shadow, the world distorting into shards of darkness and greys for some seconds. They appeared in another burst of shadow right at the entrance to the clinic. The moment his feet were grounded he took off in a brisk walk, Raven right behind him, as he entered.

He barely spared the greeting attendants a moment as he made his way to the stairs and up, flying up the steps and entering the hall holding Cloelia's room. As he approached he noticed Medusa standing just outside the closed door and leaning against the frame, her gaze turned towards him as he got closer.

"She's waiting," she said as she softly opened the door and gestured in, her own face marred with worry as he nodded to her and did just that.

While outside there was a general hum of activity as nurses and visitors moved around, the occasional doctors passing as they made check-ups, inside the room it was nearly silent. In fact the only consistent sound was that of the heartbeat monitor and a newly placed oxygen mask over Cloelia's face.

Seeing the godling made Percy pause as he took in how different a little less than 24 hours had made. While before Cloelia had been pale and sometimes breaking into a cold sweat, now it was as if she was starting to dry out. Percy could make out cracks in her skin that weren't near the curse's effect and the baby-fat of her cheeks was less pronounced. He also spotted IV connected to her now having a diluted bag of nectar steadily dripping the nourishing fluid into her system.

"Perseus."

The call of his name ripped his attention from the child to the only other person in the room, his black-flaming eyes meeting the dulled steel gaze of Athena. She was dressed in the same shirt and shorts from the night before but that was all that remained untouched. Her skin looked clammy and her hair was splitting at the ends as it spilled over her slouched shoulders, the tear tracks and puffiness of her eyes standing out from her fair skin.

She was sitting in a chair pulled right against Cloelia's bed, one of her hands clasped in the godling's nearly black one as she adjusted to facing him while he walked closer until he was level with the foot of the bed. They stared at each other for some time, seemingly weighing what they wanted to say before she finally broke the silence.

"Will you save her?"

Her voice was low and carried a slight croak, her eyes searching his even as he saw the plead within them. However he could not give her an answer, not yet anyways.

"I'm not sure," he said gently but that wasn't what the goddess wanted.

"Not sure?" she all but hissed as her eyes hardened. "What is there to be not sure about?" she asked as she turned her body in the chair to face him fully. "You have the power to do it and don't lose anything so why?"

"It isn't my choice alone," he retorted, his tone getting icy.

"Like hell it isn't! You're the goddamn king, who's going to stop you?" she snarled, her empty right hand clenching as she glared at him.

"This isn't Olympus," Percy answered as he looked down at the angry goddess. "Here we don't just do whatever we please and expect everyone else to deal with the consequences."

Athena scuffed at him before her eyes narrowed as her frame started to gain a slight glow, an angry crackle of static filling the air around her. Feeling the change in her Percy's eyes darkened as he looked at the goddess.

"Athena, calm down right now … or else," he ordered, the deep growl within his voice causing a tremble in the very air around him as Athena paused.

However whatever hesitation she had was shoved aside with her persisting anger as she clenched her jaw hard enough for him to hear her teeth grinding as her power continued to rise.

"You're not so different from them," she said, her voice low and harsh as her eyes started to glow as if the steel of her eyes was being superheated. "If she were anyone else, born to anyone else, you would have already saved her but no. Because of who her parents are, because you were the spurned lover, you're not sure," she mocked as the air around her started to get heavy, the cracking of tiles beneath her getting a glance from Percy. "And what? Your pack of bitches don't want to save her either or are they yo-ack!"

Whatever she was going to say was cut off as Percy closed in on her in a blink, his right hand wrapping around her throat and giving a squeeze. Athena chocked up as her hands came up to grab his wrist on reflex, her eyes widening as she looked at his. The moment her hands were off Cloelia they were swallowed in a wave of shadow, their world distorting in darkness and cold before they burst out the other way.

With a flick he tossed the goddess back, making her stumble and fall over onto the grass of the Temple Garden below her. With another flick of his wrist Percy erected another barrier, one meant to contain noise and sight as the goddess coughed while getting to her feet.

He felt three slight flares of power just within said barrier but ignored them in favor of focusing on the goddess.

"You're angry and I get that, so, I'll let that one go," he said, his voice hardening as he glared at the goddess. "But I'm only forgiving for so long." He then shook his head as he took a breath to calm himself. "Listen … I understand that you're hurting an—"

He stopped as Athena shouted as she attacked, her fist coated in a golden, crackling glow as she threw a punch at his face which he caught, a burst of static erupting at the contact.

"Understand!" she screamed as she wrenched her fist back only to try another, uncaring that he kept blocked it too. "How can you understand anything!?"

Another swing, this one wilder and glowing with more power. Percy swatted it away, watching as the goddess stumbled as she was carried with the throw until she stopped and turned back on him.

"That isn't your granddaughter lying on a hospital bed!" the goddess shouted as attack after attack came. "You've never had children of your own only to watch them die because you can't do anything!" She went for a high kick but he caught her at the shin and held on yet she didn't stop as she hopped and kicked with the other leg getting him to let go. "To just sit there, useless, hearing their prayers and cries. To close your own heart and stay away because you know you'll lose them some day!"

She jumped, her fists raised together as they crackled with power, before coming down. He jumped back as she impacted the ground, charring the grass and imploding the ground beneath it in a small explosion. He watched her get up, panting as bits of dirt fell around her. The shimmer of power around her was getting noticeably weaker, her frame starting to shake from the strain but she still kept coming.

She gave a sloppy charge, her right fist coated in the golden energy and static as she roared with her punch. He caught it at the wrist, the crackling fist inches away from his face but he wasn't looking at it. No, his gaze was on Athena's face as hot tears spilled down her cheeks. The goddess that had always seemed so strong yet cold when he had been a mere mortal. The face of seeming indifference and disciplined control that had once intimidated and humbled him.

And he couldn't see a trace of it now.

It took a few seconds before she started to pull at her wrist but he wasn't letting go. Realizing she was stuck, she screamed as she punched with her free hand and he did nothing to block or dodge. His face tilted away as the sting of her fist meeting his cheek made itself known but he didn't complain. She punched again and he took it to the jaw even as his gaze never left hers before he released her other hand. She barely paused at the sudden release but continued nonetheless, her angry tears flowing as even her eyes started to lose the heated glow to leave dull grey behind.

With each blow she got sloppier, the time between punches growing as her breathing got harder. He could see the tremble of her legs as she pushed herself, past the exhaustion and running off raw emotion. A final punch came that landed against his chest with a dull thud, the goddess swaying slightly as her arms dropped to her sides. She stumbled his way and was about to fall until he gently caught her shoulder, her head landing against his chest as he looked down at her.

"Why?"

Her voice was soft and warbled as her shoulders started to tremble, her left hand coming up to grab at his shirt as she lifted her head enough for him to see her face. Her dull grey eyes met his as the tears continued.

"… Please," she pleaded as she tugged at his shirt. "You brought me here because you thought I could change, right? That I could let go of my pride and do something with myself? Well I'm here, begging you," she said as her legs started to give out but Percy held her before she could fall as he slowly dropped to one knee, his gaze never leaving hers as she started to sob, her head resting against his chest.

"I … I don't want to lose any more of them. Cloelia, my children, they're all I have left… I can't just stay away and let them die. Not like before. "

He looked as the tears came, listening to the crying goddess as her shoulders quaked with every shuddering breathe and chocked sob. He felt his mouth drying as his left arm moved to holding Athena along her back, slowing rubbing circles to try and soothe her if at all possible.

"Percy," she said through a hiccup, her eyes nailed to his, "Save her and I'll do anything you want…"

He looked sharply at her, barely hiding his own shock as he searched her eyes. Even as the tears came and her body shook, her eyes were steady and determined. He didn't doubt for a second that she meant every word and that shook him. His right hand clenched as he swallowed softly, their gazes locked.

She opened her mouth to say more but whatever it might have been was lost as Percy acted, gently tapping her forehead with his right hand. A minor sleep spell with a barely visible distortion of air fell over Athena's face before her eyes fell closed and she went limp in his arms, fast asleep. He took a shaky breathe as he looked at the goddess, watching as some of the tension in her frame melted away.

With another deep breath he adjusted the goddess in his arms, one tucked under her legs at the knees and another across her back as he stood up. Her power signature was faint and he knew he needed to get her back to the hospital, otherwise she would continue to lose power and worsen her condition even more.

With but a thought the barrier he'd erected came down and he turned, his gaze meeting three sets of worried eyes. Hestia, Andromeda, and Rhea all walked up to him, their eyes shifting between him and the goddess in his arms. He looked at all three of them, spreading his senses drinking in their presence as he let it soothe the turmoil within.

"You heard all that," he stated, his gaze falling to the goddess in his arms.

Soft 'yes's replied to him as his gaze came back to meet theirs.

"And you know what Cloelia's condition is."

All three nodded, their faces getting grim at the mention of the godling.

"You want to save her," Andromeda said, her voice soft as all three of his wives looked at him.

He nodded, his attention lowered to the goddess in his arms for a moment. He memorized it all. The tear tracks left on her pale cheeks, the way her hands gripped his shirt as she twitched, a sniffle or two escaping her. The way she felt so small and light in his arms, her normally powerful and humming aura depleted to an echoed whisper. And yet this Olympian had been ready to do anything and everything, even putting herself on the line, if it meant saving and protecting the family she had left.

'No, not just an Olympian. A mother.'

His face rose as he looked at his wives, his voice firm.

"I am going to save Cloelia."

He met their gazes without an ounce of doubt, knowing down to his core that his choice had already been made the moment he saw how far Athena was willing to go. He wasn't entirely sure what his wives had decided, if at all, but if it was a no, then he was going to go through with it. He couldn't save everyone all the time and he couldn't protect everyone from every little thing no matter how much he wished otherwise.

But he wasn't going to abandon someone that needed him and he could help.

He'd been ready to see some disagreement, whether because he'd made the choice on his own or because they didn't agree with it. Regardless he'd been ready for that and to apologize even if he was still going to go through with it. Instead he got two warm smiles from Rhea and Andromeda but it was Hestia's troubled one that got his attention but then Andromeda spoke.

"Good," she said as she shot Hestia a side glance before turning her attention to him. "We were going to tell you that we wanted to save her as well." He started feeling lighter at knowing that but before he could comment Andromeda continued. "But we need to have a talk about something more." She then looked at the sleeping goddess as she made a tiny whimper and shivered, a bit of a cold sweat starting to show on her forehead. "First we need to get her to the clinic."

"Right," Percy responded before all of them were enveloped in a wave of darkness.

A few seconds passed before they appeared at the same floor as Cloelia's room, spooking some other visitors and nurses in the process. Without delay Percy marched towards the rooms, feeling out to see which room was empty as Andromeda veered off to get the Head Nurse for the floor or doctor if she found one first. He finally got to one, room 13, and stepped in and moved to getting Athena on the bed. As he did he heard Andromeda arrive and already explaining what happened to whoever she got.

With Athena in the bed he stepped back as a brunette doctor moved up to Athena's side, her hand glowing a pale yellow as she set it on the goddess' head. He watched attentively a small pulses raced over Athena's sweating form as the doctor—Dr. Malcolms he just recognized—scanned the goddess.

"Acute Core Exhaustion," Dr. Malcolms murmured after a few seconds as Percy heard two nurses come in, one dragging in an IV and Heart monitor.

Percy stepped farther back next to his wives as they watched the doctor and nurses work as they got Athena settled in and hooked her up. Several minutes passed in relative silence as the doctor then sent one of the nurses off to get some equipment before the doctor turned to Percy.

"Thank you for getting her here so quickly. At the rate she was losing power she could have easily gone into Core Depletion and fallen into a coma until recovered."

"Will she be able to recover?" Percy asked as he glanced at Athena's resting face.

"I believe she'd still tied to The West, correct?" Dr. Malcolms asked getting a nod from him. "Then I'm afraid no. Not unless she's brought back to within the bounds of The West or has those ties severed and gains new, unbounded domains from Lady Phoebe. As she is now we can keep her sustained with diluted nectar and when she wakes up a generous portion of ambrosia will help but she'll be more or less bedridden until something is done about her status," Dr. Malcolms explained as she looked at the goddess.

Nodding at the explanation Percy then turned to Andromeda as she grabbed his hand and started to pull him towards the door.

"Come on, she's in good hands now," she said gently and with one last glance back he followed.

Once in the hall with Rhea and Hestia the four came together before Percy felt Rhea use her own limited control of shadow to teleport them away. Percy glanced around as they arrived back in their room in the House of Primordial before Rhea pulled him along to sit beside her with Andy taking his other side as Hestia stood before him. He watched as she pulled at sleeves of her jacket while glancing anywhere but him as Andromeda spoke up.

"Well Percy, we've been talking and agreed to save Cloelia but, there's more to it than just you adopting her," she said as she pointedly looked to Hestia.

However the goddess was looking anywhere but them, nervously biting her lip.

"Hestia." At the call of her name the goddess looked to her sister wife as Rhea gestured to Percy. "Tell him."

Now Percy was feeling confused as he watched his wives shooting each other looks, some eyes narrowing at each other and Hestia looking more worried than anything.

"Okay, what's going on?" he asked as he looked at each one, his own eyes narrowed as he waited for an answer.

Rhea and Andromeda looked to Hestia together as the lady of dragons shuffled for a moment before she finally relented and spoke up, "We did agree to save her … but I was against it at first."

Percy stayed silent as he heard that, looking intently at his wife as she glanced away for a moment. Then she stepped closer to Percy, her eyes getting watery as she leaned down towards him.

"Please …"

Before he could say anything else Hestia touched her forehead against his and he felt the familiar presence of her mind brush against his own. Without hesitation his mental barriers willingly opened to her as their eyes fluttered closed. The world faded out to him as he went through memories, listening to Hestia's words as if he was saying them himself, and felt her emotions.

The night she came to him and learned about Cloelia's condition and then the rest of the night spent with him. Her visit to Paul and their conversation which surprised him at Paul's admissions to how he used to feel, his own heart clenching at listening to her fears and doubts aimed at herself. He was also shocked to realize that he'd overlooked his own commitments with the war and the need for one of his wives to adopt with him however before he could hang up on that the memories continued. Then the memories shifted to another conversation, this time Andy and Rhea being present as the queens talked from within Rhea's office as Hestia opened up to them much as she did with Paul.

He watched as they spoke, at times getting a little heated but was relieved to see things calmed even as he felt Hestia's nervousness grow the closer they got to needing to tell him. After what seemed to be near the end of the memories Hestia decided to share he was pulled back into reality. Taking a steadying breathe he slowly opened his eyes to meet the glowing crimson of his wife even as some tears spilled down her cheeks, her forehead still touched against his.

"Oh Hestia," he said softly, one hand coming up to cup her cheek and thumb away the tears. "How could I ever think less of you?"

Using his free hand he reached out and gently pulled her by the waist, drawing her to sit across his lap. Looking at her intently he then leaned down and kissed her soundly as he pulled her closer, letting his presence flare out and envelop her. She responded in kind as her emotions were carried with it, mixing with his own as he tried his best to reassure her. After nearly a minute he finally pulled back, both their faces with silvery tinges as he left their foreheads connect.

"Why Hestia?" he asked, his gaze searching hers.

"It's just …" the goddess trailed off as she looked down.

Andromeda shuffled closer behind Hestia, hugging her from behind and kissing the back of her head as Percy waited. After taking a deep breath she returned her gaze to him.

"I know she's innocent, I know saving her is the right thing to do, and I do want to help her, but every time I see her," Hestia sniffed a little as she rubbed at her eye. "I see Chase and I just get so angry."

Hestia started to blink away the coming tears as she took a shuddering breathe.

"You already said it yourself. You are going to save her and I accept that … even if I can't agree with it completely. Not yet anyways."

Silence followed as Percy closed his eyes for a moment as he took his own calming breathe. It hurt to hear the pain in Hestia's voice and to know what she was going through after feeling her very emotions. There was barely any anger, if at all, directed at him then such an intense sense of self-loathing for herself. And even with the grudge and its effects on her, even with her own concerns, she still accepted not only his choice but theirs as a whole.

'What did I do to deserve you?' he thought to himself as his arms tightened around her, pulling her closer to him as he opened his eyes.

"And as things are now, we don't have long before we need to go through with this," Rhea added as she raised her head from Percy's shoulder to look directly at him. "We need to act soon or it will be too late."

"And you can't be the only one to adopt her," Andy continued, "One of us needs to do it with you to take care of Cloelia when you're out on the battlefields."

"Who?" he asked as he glanced from Andy to Rhea.

"Me," Hestia said softly as he snapped his gaze to her, his eyes widening in surprise as she looked back at him. "And I need Athena's help to do it…"


So ... thoughts? I really hope everyone enjoyed this and the next one should come out soon! Let me hear your thoughts, a pleasure, Jbubu