So, I'm still alive. Despite the hopes of some people in this community I've not kicked the bucket, though I've been close to, if that's any consolation. But to cut things short, I'm still around and I still want to finish this story. Updates will still be a bit slow, but I try to update at least once a month from now on. I'm quite sad how long it has taken me to write this story thus far. The story is only 1/3 complete and it has already taken me years to get this far. Blame my failing health for it, but it still bothers me. I want to finish this and if I can, I will.
So this is another short chapter. I'm still trying the get back into the mood of the story, but I do hope this works out...
Apollo was in a good mood. There hadn't been many reasons for him to be happy in recent times, but when he found out about Ares' little party he just had to go there and see what his kids are up. And what he saw made him truly proud. His little boy had finally become a man and partied all through the night it seemed.
Too bad Apollo had arrived too late to join the fun, but just by looking at the trashed bar, the countless empty beer bottles and passed out party goers, he had an easy time guessing what had happened here.
Ares himself was nowhere to be seen, but the other gods were still around. Most of them were asleep as well, exhausted from their excessive partying. Only one was awake. Eris sat at the bar, a smug look on her face, as she rebraided her long black hair with a golden thread. She smiled knowingly, as she finally looked at him. She didn't say anything but only pointed at a pile of people on the ground before her.
Apollo laughed when he spotted Will at the center of that pile, sandwiched between a slightly drooling Enyo, who still had her daughter in a headlock, and Deimos of all people. Just how had Will ended up with these two, the sun god wondered.
"Looks like quite the party," Apollo said, as he moved past the people and sat down next to Eris.
The goddess laughed almost maniacally, holding on to Apollo to prevent herself from falling from her bar stool. "You don't even know half of it, sunny. Your boy entered a drinking competition with Ares and even held his ground for quite some time."
"Did he now?" Apollo wondered. He had no idea that Will was a drinker… maybe he should bring the boy along for some more parties in the future… but that would have to wait. Officially Will was still far too young to drink. "So Ares won, I guess. He must be so happy."
"Actually, Ares lost," Eris admitted. "But it wasn't a fair competition. Aphrodite had burst in a few hours ago and dragged the poor sod away. He must have forgotten about some promise he had made her or something like that. I've lost track of the many milestones of their love-hate relationship."
Well, that was something. Ares would be back for a rematch, that much was assured. Hopefully, Will's liver will survive that event when it comes.
"So, why are you here, sunny? Worried about what we might do to your boy?"
"You know why Will is here," Apollo stated. Eris only nodded, "So you also know how much his quest means to me."
"Yeah, yeah. Your little godling is missing, I know," Eris replied, her tone dismissive as if there mere thing she had said was of no importance at all.
Apollo looked at the goddess in surprise. How did she know about Ariadne's true status? No one is supposed to know, except for a very small number of highly loyal people. Someone like Eris shouldn't… couldn't…
"How do you..."
"How do I know? It is kinda obvious, you know," Eris answered easily. "I've watched the girl for a bit and anyone with a shred of intelligence can tell that she is no mere demigod. That no one on the council has realized this when she stood in the middle of their chamber has left me in serious doubt of our leaders' intelligence."
"Ariadne has never shown her true descent," Apollo replied bitterly. Eris has always been a threat to everyone, always causing strife and chaos wherever she goes. Her knowing about Ariadne is a serious threat to the girl's life. Should Zeus ever find out about Ariadne's true mother, there would be bloodshed.
"Her mastery over both yours and Artemis' domains was a dead giveaway, you know. What I don't get is how the two of you have managed to hide the fact that Artemis is no longer a maiden," Eris told him.
"She and I and she…" he paled, as the utterly revolting mental picture formed in his mind. "She's my sister! By Tartarus, how could you ever believe that I will try to sleep with my own sister?"
"Didn't stop your dad from doing it. Or your dear old grandfather. And your brothers, uncles, sons, and cousins," Eris laughed, "Even I had some very passionate encounters with some of my brothers. It's only natural, sunny."
"I would never, ever..." Not with Artemis, not with his twin.
"Alright, I get it. Stop this, before you overheat and burn down the place, sunny," Eris said, in an attempt to placate the riled up sun god. "So she isn't Artemis' daughter, that's fine as well. Doesn't change the fact that you hid a new goddess from Olympus and now that she has somehow ended up as Eos' prisoner you are desperate to get her back."
It took Apollo a bit longer to calm down again, but eventually, he did regain his composure. "No one must ever hear about this! I swear to you, should you tell my father about Ariadne being more than a demigod, I will end you."
"Calm down, sunny. I'm not your enemy here. I'm not exactly a well-respected guest in your father's home if you care to remember."
"So what do you want? Power? More secrets?"
"I want my fun," Eris replied honestly, "And just watching your new faction being a thorn in Zeus' side is the greatest fun I've had in the last few millennia. And maybe we can actually help each other."
Apollo's mood had gotten progressively worse, all of the fleeting happiness he had felt after seeing his son's first big party had already evaporated. Eris was after something and he would find out what. If she would turn out to be a threat, he would have to deal with her. Or else his grandmother would send someone else. Someone like Lelantos or Pallas and then things would get messy.
"Eris..." he growled, glaring darkly at the goddess.
"Come on, sunny, stop being such a grouch. That look doesn't suit you at all," Eris laughed, "I only want one thing from you. A favor, so to speak."
"What kind of favor?"
"I want to meet your dearest grandmother, of course. I'm not blind and I am no fool. I can see that Kronos and his ilk are gathering their troops, but your dear father does nothing to acknowledge that fact. I want to explore my options, instead of blindly following Zeus on his way to the deepest pit of Tartarus."
"You served my father well when serving was comfortable and safe," Apollo replied. He could see the truth behind her statement. She was trying to find herself a safe place, away from the current war. Eris is a coward, after all. But he had no idea whether it would be wise to lead this goddess to the Queen's doorstep. Eris has always been far too proficient at causing strife wherever she goes…
Eris smugness seemed to lessen slightly and she even sighed in exasperation. "Apollo, I am not looking to cause your new queen any trouble. I would gain nothing from it but more enemies. Just meeting her will turn Zeus against me, so I am the one taking the risk here."
Some movement in the far away corner caught Apollo's eye. Some of the drunkards are slowly waking up. They would have to wrap up this conversation quickly or else someone might hear too much.
"And what do I get in return?" he asked.
Eris' smirk made a full return as she heard him. She was so sure of her success at this point that she was almost bouncing off her seat in glee, "I cannot give you Eos or even tell you where she is right now. But I can tell you the name of a person who has seen Eos not so long ago. Who knows, she might even know where Eos is hiding right now."
A possible lead… or another dead end. Eris could be lying, even Apollo had a hard time reading other gods and goddesses. He could always tell when a mortal or demigod is lying to him, but in Eris case, he had not a single clue. But having a lead would be better than the current wild goose chase he and his children have embarked upon.
"I can't make you any promises. I can present your case to Queen Rhea, but the choice to meet you is hers alone," Apollo told the goddess.
"Fair enough. We both can only offer vague answers, but I can live with that."
"So who is this woman who knows something about Eos?" Apollo demanded impatiently.
"Oh, you know her. Your darling champion had some dealings with her not so long ago. The one you should ask about Eos is Circe. The little sorceress and her dear Aunt Eos are meeting quite often. Eos is a regular guest at Circe's Spa and all that."
Circe… not the kind of person Apollo was keen on meeting. The daughter of Hecate and Helios. She had tried to doublecross Percy during their last meeting, so he would have to be careful while dealing with her. But at least he would have one ally there. If he remembers correctly, one of Percy's loyal friends remained on Circe's island to learn more about the ancient powers of Hecate's bloodline.
"Thank you, Eris. I will go and find out what Circe knows. Then I will talk to the queen about your request. I will find you once I have an answer," the sun good promised.
Eris nodded and rose from her seat at the bar. "That's all I can hope for. But please do hurry. Your father isn't exactly stable at the moment."
"I will try," he replied.
She merely hummed, before she slowly walked out of the trashed bar, adding a special sway to her hips as she knew that Apollo was watching her leave. Only belatedly Apollo realized that she had actually taken one of Will's companions with her as she left… One of Artemis' girls, too. That would mean trouble later on.
Yet the sun god had more pressing concerns at the moment. He doubted that Eris would harm the girl and Ariadne was the one truly in danger. He would have to collect all of Will's remaining companions and then they would take a little trip to a Spa. Just what his son would need to cure that murder hangover he would have once he regains consciousness.
Deianira watched the group of demigods closely, always hidden around a corner or behind a group of random mortals. She had followed Jackson and his friends all the way towards this city. Las Vegas… the fallen huntress hadn't been to any mortal city ever since she had joined the Hunt. The last city she had entered had been Chicago and that had been far over a century ago.
The last time the Hunt had come to this city to pursue Jackson, she had been away on a solo hunt. Her last deed for the slaver Artemis. But she had freed herself after that mission after Ariadne had shown them that Artemis' grip is not as tight as they had once believed.
The Huntress was alone now, as she pursued Percy and his friends without the help of Atlas' minions. All those monsters had been worthless. Canon-fodder at best, a hindrance to her more like. Again and again, she caught herself cursing the Titan for taking away her comrades. She didn't even want to imagine what Atlas was doing to them or what he was using them for. They should have stayed by her side. Jackson and Zoe would be dead already. But no, the Titan's cruel idiocy hampered her mission.
At least Zoe looked utterly lost, a sight that Deianira enjoyed more than she was willing to admit. Gone was the proud and untouchable lapdog. Killing two of the other huntresses had been a steep price to pay, but anything that would help to sever Zoe from the powers that keep the Hunt together was a sacrifice Deianira had been willing to make.
She rued all those deaths. Every girl that died in Artemis' service was one too many. Deianira took no pleasure from spilling their blood. No, she was sure that she would spend an eternity in Tartarus for each and every one of her former comrades she had killed. She would endure the punishment unflinchingly, if only it meant that she would be taking Artemis to Tartarus with her.
A man suddenly bumped into her from behind, tearing the huntress attention away from her prey. Had she been any lesser fool, like Phoebe or Dana, she would have punched the man, especially when didn't even have the courtesy to apologize. But she had more self-restraint and ignored the situation entirely. A mistake, she realized moments later, when someone grabbed her by the throat and pulled her into a nearby alley.
The mortals around them had not even realized that something had happened, something that disturbed Deianira to no end.
Her struggle began in earnest, when her attacker bashed her against a wall, his hand still clenched around her throat in an iron grip.
Atlas! Why was the general here? And why did he attack her?
"You failed me, little huntress," the titan spoke, his voice a dark rumble, like a rockfall in a canyon. "You know what I do with those who fail me."
Panic rose, as he clenched even harder. No air managed seemed to reach or leave lungs. She would suffocate quickly unless she would find a way to shake off the angry titan.
In a desperate attempt to free herself she pulled her hunting knife from her belt tried to stab Atlas into his exposed neck. Her strength, however, was waning fast and she didn't manage much more than pierce his skin and draw some of his golden ichor.
Atlas merely laughed, unimpressed by her futile attempt at hurting him.
"You wasted my minions and all the boons I've granted you. And what did you bring me in return? Nothing. You merely thinned their ranks, culled their weakest and strengthened their resolve. You are useless to me, girl," Atlas told her. But he also loosened his grip on her throat, allowing much-needed air to reach her lungs.
She tried to defend her own actions, but the words came out slurred and she had to stop and breathe ever so over, "Your minions were weak... Had you not taken my hunters, I..."
Her words were cut off, when he bashed her into the wall once more, harder this time. She was sure she had heard her rips crack. Or was it her spine?
"Be glad that I might still have a use for you. You will get one last chance. You will kill my traitorous daughter right before Artemis' eyes. You will break her spirit and help me make her fade."
"She will… escape… I need..."
"They know where Artemis is. They will come to us, so we will leave them be for now," the Titan said, as he looked in the direction of their enemies. "Let them believe that there are on the right track. Let them hope. It will make my victory all the sweeter to see them shatter before me."
Deianira couldn't say anything in return before the Titan transported them both to their destination. Mount Othrys. A dark and foreboding presence hung in the air. A suffocating feeling that sent shivers down her spine, much to her surprise. She looked around for the source of this feeling. Artemis was still there, bloodied and utterly defeated underneath the sky. But she saw no traces of her hunters…
There was someone else, though. A boy she despised thoroughly. Luke Castellan, Kronos' little lapdog. But something was wrong. So utterly wrong. His eyes were glowing with a golden light and she had never seen the son of Hermes' sport such a ferocious grin… No, this wasn't Luke. It was Kronos… no wonder Atlas was so willing to lure their enemies here...
A/N: There isn't much to say here.
With the growing conflict and the three sides involved in it, it is easy to forget about those who are not affiliated with anyone at this point. Gods and goddesses who have been merely tolerated by Olympus and those treated with disregard. Not everyone will be willing to side with Rhae, just because Zeus' had been a bigoted idiot. And Kronos hadn't been any better. In the end, there is no black and white in this story and even Rhea's faction has its flaws. Some are more obvious, while others are well hidden behind gentle smiles and promises of a new golden age.
The roles of Thalia and Bianca will be much more obvious in the coming chapters. They will be called harbingers for a reason...