Chapter 1: The Birth of a Plan
Under the rule of the Olympians the world was changing fast. The humans that Kronos and his followers had subjugated over the years were advancing at rates that even shocked the gods. Going from wondering tribes of primitives and the occasional tiny settlement. To congregations of people coming together to form towns and the beginnings of cities throughout Greece. Of course with these cites came simple temples and shrines to praise the gods. Sacrifices and offerings were made to the gods on a regular basis now, dramatically increasing the power the gods wielded. Thus allowing the gods to have an even more profound effect on the world they now ruled.
Not all the gods where worshipped equally though. Zeus, King of the Gods and Lord of the Skies was by far the most heavily worshipped. The mortals, like many of the gods felt like they owed him for being the spark of the rebellion. On top of that many saw the importance of his power of the weather being essential to a prosperous harvest. Combining those two factors Zeus gained the most from the all the new worshipers. Giving him a significant power boost, putting him more on par with the elder children of Kronos. A side effect of his power boost, he gained an even larger ego boost that Olympus quietly accepted because of their feeling gratefulness toward him.
Zeus wasn't the only god to draw power from these new worshippers. Poseidon became a favorite of seamen and fishermen. Hades was prayed too when there was any kind of death or search for riches. Demeter was the heart and soul of the farmers and the occasional gardener. Worshipping Hera became the key to many successful marriages and handling family feuds. The goddess of love, Aphrodite started to gain a large following as well. It turns out that the Greeks went at it like bunnies in heat, when not being oppressed by all-powerful titans. Then there was Hestia the goddess of the hearth and fire, she was wasn't worshipped widely but she was worshipped deeply. Caring mothers, protective fathers, worried children would all pray for Hestia when the going got tough. And Hestia would always answer, she cared greatly for all of her worshippers.
Unlike her fellow Olympians and other minor gods and goddess she did not fraternize and get involved with intimately with her worshippers. Partly because it was not in her personality do so, but mostly she did not have the time. When she wasn't at the hearth or down in the mortal world, she was spending all of her time with her dear mother and baby brother.
What was once a dark cave with little more than a fireplace and a queen-sized bed, has turned into something incredible. In the past eleven months Rhea and Hestia, with the help of a few handy, dandy cyclopes managed to transform the barren cave into a home worth living in. Guarding the entrance was her faithful pair of lions, prepared to fight off any uninvited guests. What was the original cave area, was now a living/dining room combination. There was a table large enough to sit ten, a new and improved hearth with intricate carvings of the children of Kronos all around. Not to mention there was a few chairs and couches designed for comfort in their own area providing a great space to relax or chat with others. From this area there was now several off shoot tunnels that lead to various guest rooms, bathrooms, and a master bedroom and lastly what looked to be a young child's room.
"Momma…Momma…Momma…Momma" cried a voice from the young child room.
Rhea was half-asleep stumbling down the hall thinking to herself, gods damn who knew raising a kid would be so challenging and exhausting. Especially a little goddling, he is growing up so fast already at eleven months he can walk, talk and has the basics of writing and reading down. With the body about as developed as a four year old mortal. All of which is fantastic, but on the other hand he is constantly full of energy and requires little to no sleep. My days are generally spent chasing him around the cave or the beach that's outside the cave, attempting to give him lessons on our history and other basic worldly knowledge and the most challenging part. Putting him to bed. He seemed to grow even more restless at night. And don't even get me started on bath time. Rhea shuttered at the thought of it. She than realized she was right in front of the door where all the sounds where coming from. Then she pushed through and as soon as she laid on her little bundle of joy. Her little boy, Perseus. All negative thoughts melted away in an instant.
"Mommy, you came!" exclaimed the hyperactive bundle of joy. Perseus has taken up the habit of calling Rhea until she came every morning. Every single morning.
However Rhea couldn't help but smile at her overenthusiastic little boy, because at the end of each day after no matter how tired she is. She knows it worth it in the end.
"Of course I came Perseus" responded as she walked over to her boy and ruffled the hair on his head.
Irritated Perseus glared up at her "Mommy I'm a big boy now and you aren't allowed to mess with my hair anymore"
Rhea was laughing on the inside, because no matter how hard her Perseus tries his glares always have the opposite effect as intended. She just couldn't take her boy seriously. He just looks to damn adorable. With his still slightly chubby cheeks, his mass of hair that was constantly messy anyway, but most of all his eyes. They were a mixture of black and gold, which seemed to twist and swirl. Corresponding with the emotions my Perseus was feeling at any given time.
Getting down to Perseus' level. With no emotion being shown on her face, looking directly into his black and gold orbs. She moves her mouth close to his ear, whispering "Oh but Perseus you will always be my cute, little baby boy."
Before Perseus even has time to protest he finds himself pinned to the hard cave floor being tickled to death.
"hahaha...M-Mommyyy s-stopppp ticklin me" cried out between fits of laughter.
A few minutes of intense tickling past, or in Perseus's world years of torture. Before Rhea let her now teary eyed, heavily breathing son go.
"Let that be a lesson. For you will always be Mommy's baby boy" scolded Rhea before her face lit up with a huge smile, happy with how everything that just went down. Meanwhile Perseus was bashfully starring at the ground trying to avoid eye contact "Yes, Mama"
Elated Rhea got up and walked towards the door to the hall before looking back at Perseus "Now don't you want some breakfast young man, Hestia will be here shortly to make your favorite" said with a sly smirk knowing the effect these words would have on her boy.
Perseus's eyes shot wide open, his mind blanked all that mattered now was his second and third favorite things in the world. His big sissy Hestia and his big sissy's blue pancakes. He shot out the room as fast as his body childlike body could handle, nearly knocking his mamma over. And screaming down the hall "I'M COMING SISSY HAVE THE PANCAKES READY!"
Shaking her head Rhea followed her child that made hyper kids look calm towards the dining room. She reached the room shortly after her son. Where she saw her little boy devouring a stack of blue pancakes that was nearly as tall as him. While her eldest daughter, who was appearing as a teenaged girl, watched with her eyes full of joy and a broad smile clear on her face.
"Now Percy dear, don't eat to fast or you're going to explode." Hestia jokingly told her brother
"Sissy, I'm a big boy now. I know people don't explode" Perseus said between bites of whole pancakes "People just poop out everythin they eat and that doesn't hurt!"
Hestia's eyes went wide before she tried to hide her giggle from her little brother, who wouldn't have noticed anyway because her was back to devouring pancakes once again.
Hands on her hips, sass on her face Rhea "Hestia my dear, why don't you come give your mother a hug" called out, the happiness from see her two favorite children in one room evident in her voice.
Letting out an un-Hestia, but very teenage girl like screech raced across the room to envelop her mother in a bear hug.
"It's so good to be able to see you again, mother. I know it's only been a week but after all those years not being able to see you….I'm just afraid of losing you again" Peeking up at her mother before burying her head into her neck to hide the tears, that were a mixture of fear and joy.
"Hestia my dear you have nothing to worry about…..I would never choose to leave you and your siblings" Rhea said with a hint of sadness in her eyes as she looked up to avoid any chance of eye contact.
An enormous burp that lasted a good 6 seconds shattered the mother daughter moment that was going on. Both goddess were flabbergasted at the sound they just heard, mouths open to the max they slowly turned to face the only other person in the room, Perseus. When they made eye he quickly looked at the ceiling and attempted to whistle inconspicuously. That's when they noticed that Perseus had finished all the pancakes on the table, at least 3 dozen pancakes. Of course that's when they burst out into laughter, Perseus following shortly.
Hestia and Rhea started to move towards the table to join the newly appointed record holder for loudest burp ever. When Perseus's face went wide with surprise and grunted in pain before running off in the direction of the bathroom. Causing Rhea and Hestia to go into another fit of laughter.
"hahaha I g-guess he is probably wishing he just exploded, rather than feel those several dozen pancakes" Hestia managed to get out, reenergizing the laughter that had started to die down.
Several minutes had passed before the laughter began to die down. Still with no sign of Perseus, Rhea figured now we be a good time to discuss what was on her mind. Attempting to recompose from the aftereffects of intense laughter she spoke.
"Hestia dear, Perseus birthday is coming up next week and I've yet to come up with a solid party plan. I know us immortals usually don't celebrate birthdays, but I wanted to give my little boy something special before he is given his domains and gains complete control of his powers."
Hestia had always wanted to do something like this because at times she is envious of the mortals that celebrate all kinds of events together. Reminding herself of how disconnected her family truly is. Grinning like a fool she responded "Mother this is a brilliant idea, we can bring the whole family together for this! Perseus has been bugging me for weeks to introduce him to his brothers and sisters after all."
"I know. I know he has been asking me about that as well. I've been unsure about it though, who knows how they will respond. Especially Zeus, I love him dearly but he has grown a tad egotistical of late and don't want him to lash out at my little angel." Replied Rhea, with a look of sadness present on her face.
"That's an easy fix mother, we just won't invite him this time….or Hera because we both know how infatuated she is with him. I'm sure Poseidon and Demeter would love to meet there little brother and Hades prides himself with his ability to come off as a serious and intimidating as possible but he is a real softy deep down." Hestia beamed while still smiling strong.
Rhea stared off in the distance as she thought intensely about the situation, weighing the obvious pros and cons. She knew her Perseus would be incredibly happy about meeting his brothers, he would be bouncing off the walls for days if she actually mentioned it to him. Was that worth the risk of him being discovered now? Before he can actively defend himself and me being in such a weakened state. Ultimately she knew that Perseus would need to be introduced to his siblings and the world, as much as she wished to keep her baby boy within arm's reach in the cave forever. Might as well introduce him to the few that she knew wouldn't even think about hurting him. Plus, like Hestia said this could bring their family together. Giving them the chance they never had to be together.
With the slightest smirk Rhea looked into her daughters fiery eyes "Seems like we have to plan for a birthday and family reunion my dear!"
Hestia responded by screeching and jumping up and down like a child that was told they could have as my sweets as they wanted for supper. Causing Rheas face to be engulfed in a smile. That's when they heard a groaning Perseus clutching his stomach stumbling back into the room before collapsing onto the couch. "Never eating that much food ever." Moaned Perseus, before passing out.
Which of course caused Hestia and Rhea into another fit of laughter. Several minutes had once again past before either of them had the breath to speak.
"Hestia my dear let us go somewhere more discreet to discuss the party plan in more detail, while our pancake champion rests." Rhea whispered in her daughter's ear. Who responded in a slight nod before both goddess flashed away to some unknown location.
A.N: This chapter would of been up quicker but got caught up in writing papers for my "Foundations in College Writing" class. It was a real drag. Anyway to address a few things. Percy will probably be hidden from public eye, but known by a select few. I'll try not to do any huge time skips, I wanna try to develop "my" Percy to the best of my ability. As for the direction, problems should be arising in the next chapter or two. Not gonna say much more than that on the topic, wouldn't wanna give away to much :P
I'd like to thank everyone for the kind reviews and favs and follows!
The next chapter should be up soon...
With love,
NMR