Chapter 3: The News
In a dark room in the tallest tower of the most extravagant palace on Olympus lay two immortals sleeping. When all of a sudden the eyes of the male shoot open, wide and fearful. He rapidly scans the room, relaxing at the sight of his lover. No obvious threats where visible, but still something felt…amiss. Zeus didn't want to take any chances, nothing would take his throne from him. He would make sure of it. Slowly and quietly he got out of the bed he was sharing; making sure not to wake the other occupant. To walk over to the balcony to look over Olympus, his city. That's when he felt "it" again, a strange sense of foreboding that seemed to be emitting from the throne room. His brow farrowed at the thought of someone or thing intruding in on his center of power. He thought to himself whoever this was better have a damn good excuse or they are about to be to face a fate worse than death and flashed away.
"WHO DARE INTRUDES….." Was as far as Zeus got before his raging eyes caught sight of the intruders and paled greatly; immediately losing the ability to speak as his mouth hung open. Three old women calmly sitting in the center of the throne room vigorously sewing away. The Fate sisters Clotho the spinner, Lachesis the measurer and Atropos the cutter.
They looked up expectedly at Zeus, "Are you just going to stand there gaping boy or are you going to call the council. We have much to discuss." Eerily said all three fates in unison.
Panic-stricken, Zeus shot his master bolt into the sky. Sending sounds of thunder across the world letting his sibling know they were needed on Olympus.
Hera was the first to arrive, as she appeared in a flash of light on her throne, giving Zeus a look of concern. Before realizing they were not alone, her face losing almost all color upon recognition of the other occupants of the room.
The fates gave her a devilish smirk, causing her to pale even more.
Poseidon, Hades and Demeter flashed in next timing there entrances, making sure they don't appear at once and arouse the suspicion of their brother. Their eyes widened at the sight they saw before them, which quickly morphed in to a stoic facade. They all knew that direct meetings with the fates were rarely ever good news.
Lastly, Hestia appeared on her throne in a blaze of fire last. Noticing the Fates immediately, unlike her siblings who all seemed to be either frozen in shock and/or fear. She took the initiative, rising from her throne and respectively bowing toward them.
"Ah…Lady Hestia I'm glad some immortals still remember their manners." Speculated Clotho as her eyes maliciously swept across the room.
Prompting the other five Olympians to jump out of there thrones and enter into deep bows. Causing the Fates themselves to let out the slightest chuckle at the nervous actions of most the Olympians.
Hearing someone laugh at him no matter who knocked Zeus back to his senses as his face scrunched up as glared intently at Clotho. Who in turn raised an eyebrow, as if daring him to say more.
"It seems like my siblings have lost their voices…If I maybe so bold to ask why did you come to Olympus?" Questioned Hestia, as she glared at each of her siblings. Lingering on Zeus for a longer period of time, visually warning him not to say anything stupid.
"Hmmm….I suppose we did come her for a reason right sisters? Other than to just make the Olympians wet themselves." Mocked Atropos, smirking slyly.
Zeus rose in his throne in protest, but before he could speak Hera put her hand on his shoulder turning him to face her. Giving him the look that meant, "If you say something stupid, you're going to regret it later look."
Groaning to himself Zeus sat back on his stormy throne returning his frustrated gaze to the Fates.
"We come bearing news of course." Said Lachesis as if it was obvious.
"Now….what news would you like hear first the good or the bad news?" Inquired Clotho.
Immediately Poseidon shot up, "Oh-oh good news first!"
His siblings all looked at him incredulously. Realizing his outburst was a tad…immature. He attempted to inconspicuously sit back down in his turquois throne, making sure not to draw any more attention to himself.
However when he looked back towards the Fates, all three stared at him with wide gleaming, gray eyes, and creepy smiles.
An involuntary shutter went through Poseidon. Mentally face palming, as well as making a mental note to never ever have an outburst like that in front of the Fates again.
"It seems like you all have made your choice." Smirked Atropos as she returned her gaze to Zeus.
Zeus met her gaze with narrowed eyes, motioning her to continue with a brief nod.
"Don't be so upset Zeus, this news is about you after all." Revealed Lachesis.
All of Zeus's gave him curious glances upon hearing this, while Zeus's eyes widened realizing where this might be headed.
"We think a congratulations is in order Zeus. You are going to be a father after all." Beamed Atropos.
Zeus' eyes were practically popping out of his head. Hestia, Hades, Poseidon and Demeter jaws were on the ground. Hera had a twinkle in her eyes as she stared at the Fates with a hopeful smile.
"I'm pregnant?" Whispered Hera, as if she didn't believe what she just heard.
Lachesis looked toward Hera with a mixed expression in her face, "Yes Hera, you are pregnant….."
Hera let out a cry of joy as she jumped out of her throne and bounded over to Zeus, "You here that honey! We are going to be having a child!"
Zeus's expression however didn't change as he continued to look forward at the fates.
Quickly noticing that Zeus wasn't sharing her enthusiasm about the news her expression changed from one of joy to one of confusion.
One of the Fates cleared their throats, regaining the attention of the room.
"As my sister was trying to say before she got interrupted….Yes Hera is pregnant, as well as Leto, Metis, Maia and Demeter." Declared Clotho.
That's when shit hit the ceiling.
Hera let out a scream filled with fury and pain as she turned back towards Zeus. Who was now cowering in his throne arms out in front to try and ward his very pissed off wife away. She was shaking with rage as she attempted to contain her true form blasting apart the throne room.
Her aura was flared to the max as she looked at her husband. The power seeping out of her causing the floor to crack as she made her way to her unfaithful pig of a husband.
"YOU BASTARD! YOU CHEATING SON OF A BITCH!" Howled Hera, "Not only have you been sleeping around, you have fathered children with them!
Zeus was now whimpering on his throne as looked into his wife's rage filled eyes, "Now honey it's not…" Was as far as Zeus got before Hera blasted him with a beam of godly energy knocking him unconscious.
"DON'T you dare honey me Zeus!" Growled Hera as she spat in his general direction. Before turning to face the next to face her wrath. Demeter.
Poseidon, Hades and Hestia were shocked at what they heard and subsequently saw. Completely disgusted with their little brother. What right did he have to remain unfaithful to the most faithful immortal? Lucky for Zeus, Hera knocked him unconscious before they had a chance to contribute to his punishment. The momentary silence after Hera's rightful rage calmed was broken by the sobs of Demeter.
Demeter was disgusted with herself she felt terrible at what she did with her married brother. Hera's cold, spiteful glare pushed her over the edge. That's when floodgates holding back her tears broke and began to sob uncontrollably.
Hera marched up to Demeter, wavering slightly at the state of her sister. No matter, she had a hand in her husband's unfaithfulness she deserves what she's about to get.
"DEMETER…" Hera managed to yell out. However before being able to continue Demeter had scrambled out of her throne and threw herself at her feet.
"Sister...What…I have done is unforgivable. I'm so incredibly sorry. It doesn't make much of a difference now, but if it makes you feel any better. I was terribly intoxicated, I didn't know it was Zeus until the next morning." Sobbed Demeter.
Gods dammit! I can't stay mad at that excuse and those large brown, teary eyes.
Instead of speaking, Hera starred into Demeter's tear filled eyes not saying anything. Shutting her own eyes as she swung her arm towards Demeter's face. Giving Demeter a resounding slap that she would not soon forget and walking back to her throne. Her anger temporarily leaving her as tears began to pour out of her own eyes.
Seeing this Hestia immediately flashed over to her younger sister embracing. Doing her best to comfort her as her world comes crashing down around her.
Poseidon and Hades both sighed and looked at each other shaking their heads. Both knew this was most likely the start of a problem that wouldn't be ending anytime soon. On top of that this was the good news.
Hades looked towards the center of the room to see the Fates watching with amused grins on their faces. Internally making Hades want to take the Fates down to the field of punishment for a few centuries. Externally there was no indication of his inner rage. Matter of fact there wasn't any indication of any emotion at all on Hades face.
"If you Fates are done messing with my family. Would you be so kind to continue with this news? The sooner you do that the sooner you can leave." Spat the now scowling Hades, slightly succumbing to his anger.
That being said garnered the attention of everyone in the room. The sobbing Demeter and Hera; along with the recently awoken Zeus included.
"If you insist, Lord Hades" mocked Clotho.
"From the depths of Tartarus an enemy shall rise. To challenge the rule of the gods in a war worse than any before." Eerily said all three Fates in an unnatural voice that sent shivers down the spines of the Olympians.
The children of Kronos and Rhea all froze in fear at the thought of another war, especially one that would be worse than the last.
Zeus was the first to recover from the fear that shocked all. Unlike his siblings who were weary of another possibly worse war. The pride got to his head and scoffed at the idea of someone being able to challenge his rule.
"HA we have already defeated the Titans once, if they dare rise from Tartarus they will be beaten down like before. Nothing shall take my throne!" Roared Zeus with a cocky smile present on his face.
"Hmmm….Believe what you want Olympian. Be warned this is not a war you should take lightly." Warned Atropos.
The Fates then flashed out in clouds of dark mist not giving the Olympians a chance to question what was said.
"Brother why must you be such a buffoon!" Growled Hades, "We could have questioned them about this enemy! But noooo, you just had to piss of the Fates!
Zeus turned to face his elder brother with a very irritated expression, "Don't question me brother! Remember who wears the crown in this relationship!"
"Brother you said it yourself this is a council not a dictatorship!" Yelled the now standing and fuming Hades.
"It does not matter what I said, only what I say now! All of you get out of my sight!" Roared Zeus who was now erratically sparking with lightning.
Hades immediately left, calling the shadows in the room to flock to him until he had disappeared.
Poseidon just frowned and shook his head as he dissolved into mist.
Hestia still preoccupied with comforting her distraught sister flashed them away in a burst of flames.
Demeter still had a few tears falling down her face as she teleported away.
That left Zeus sitting on his throne grimacing at the very thought of his siblings. He was their King, he knew best. So he began to think out a plan on how to weaken the Titans before they rose out of the Pit. Smiling devilishly at his own ingenious plan he flashed away in a massive bolt of lightning.
Little did Zeus know it was not the Titans he would have to worry about…
Rhea was a tad disappointed she did not have any one on one time with her recently reunited children. Still she was grinning at the thought of spending even more time with them in the future.
At the moment she was making her way through the halls of her cave to her Perseus's room. Knowing Hestia would have to be headed off to Olympus for the sudden council meeting and knowing Perseus he would be as restless as ever. Gods I swear the boy becomes even more alive at night Rhea thought to herself.
She was pleasantly surprised to see Perseus seemingly asleep, with Hestia leaning over him for one finale goodnight kiss to the forehead. Warming Rhea's heart at the site of the love Hestia shown for her little brother. She has practically became his second mother this past few months after all.
Rhea was broken from her thoughts as she felt small arms reach around her waist. Looking down to see Hestia back in her eight year old form, before she herself wrapped her arms around her eldest daughter in a loving embrace.
"I love you mother. Tonight was the most fun I've had in ages. It's hard to believe Percy has the power to make everyone just want to enjoy life. Heck he even broke through Hades emotional barriers in a matter of hours." Remarked Hestia.
"I know daughter, he does seem to have that kind of effect on people" beamed Rhea in return.
Braking off the embrace, Rhea's smile receded slightly as a certain seriousness took over.
"Hestia dear I know you have to go now. Promise you will be back tomorrow evening and make sure you bring your siblings. We still have much too discuss." Calmly stated Rhea.
Hestia just smiled in return, "Of course mother, I will see you then."
Next she flashed away in her signature burst of flames, leaving Rhea alone at the entrance to Perseus's room.
As she was turning away to head to her room to retire for the night a sound caught her attention.
"Mama come here." Croaked a tired sounding Perseus.
Looking back across the room she saw her little boy with his head slightly risen from the pillow looking directly towards her. Giving him a small smile of recognition she slowly walked over to him. Sitting on the edge of his bed, beginning to run her fingers through the black mop on his head.
Rhea whispered, "What it is Perseus dear?"
Gently knocking Rhea's hand away from his hair with his own, he slowly looked up looking directly into his mother's brown, loving eyes and whispered back, "I just wanna say I love you Mommy. Today was the best. You are the best Mamma ever."
Rhea began to tear up at the sight of her little boy and his black and gold orbs staring up at her saying some of kindest words ever spoken to her ever. To top it all off her adorable little Perseus collapsed into his pillow as the last word left his mouth.
Slowly leaning toward her baby boy with a small smile filled with emotion on her face. She positioned herself right next to his ear affectionately whispering, "And you my boy, are the best son ever."
Giving him one final kiss on the head.
A.N: Well I thought this came out kinda good? At least the first half anyway. Sorry for the lack of Percy in this chapter, just trying to lay the foundations for the future and what not. Defiantly should be more Percy in the chapters to come.
Plan is to start skipping around some as Percy ages and interacts with his siblings more and what not.
Also when the time comes, I don't plan on going into to much detail with the upcoming giant war. It will be more "filler" to set the stage for what i have planned for later. Probably.
Lastly I don't plan on making this a PercyxHestia fic, its possible but really unlikely. Aiming for a brother sister relationship type thing with them.
Love,
NMR
P.S. Thank you for all the kind reviews, it means a lot :)