Brotherhood

Chapter 4

A/N: Thanks for all those reviews! They were really encouraging. But I urge you other readers who didn't review to review too. You see, reviews help me to improve the story in any way I can.

By the way, I'm coming to the war soon. I'm open to any suggestions you can give me on new scenes, battle scenes, or any ideas. Just PM me your idea, but please only PM. If you review it, the other readers may expect it coming, and I want to keep things as surprises. Thanks.

By the way, thanks to my new beta, Chasing Laughter, the story is improved a bit! Thanks Chasing Laughter!

Enjoy the chapter.

"The children of Zeus?" I asked, "But isn't Thalia the only current demigod child of Zeus?"

Chiron's expression hardened. "That we know of, Percy. But it appears that Zeus has been hiding his children and has protected them until this very day."

"But why would they just attack us, Chiron?"

Chiron looked straight into my eyes. I got the message. Not here, Percy.

The campers all around us were staring, anxious to hear about what had happened. This was something horrible. And it would be avenged.

I spotted the Ares kids walking up. Clarisse yelled, "What happened?" She dropped to her knees and lifted one of her siblings into her lap. "Who did this?" She looked up at us, absolute hatred filling her eyes.

Chiron walked, or galloped, to Clarisse. His eyes were clouded with concern. Concern for the dead campers, concern for Clarisse, concern for the future of us all. "Clarisse, it seems that —"

"Chiron, I don't want to hear some lecture! I want to know who did this!"

Chiron knelt down and whispered something to her, and she nodded. She ordered her other siblings to carry the bodies back to camp. As what was left of the Ares cabin left, Clarisse wiped a few tears away, shedding her tough-girl exterior for a little while. I could see how much this affected her.

A lot of campers were still hovering around. They all looked shocked and confused. One of them asked, "Chiron, what happens now?"

Chiron turned to look at them. "What we've all seen here is a terrible tragedy, and we'll all need time to process it and grieve. Capture the flag is over, obviously. What I'd like all of you to do for now is go back to your cabins and have a good rest. We'll talk about everything at breakfast."

The campers mumbled in agreement and walked back to their cabins. I could tell that sleep wouldn't be easy for them. It wouldn't be easy for anyone.

I was about to walk over to my own cabin when Chiron stopped me. "Percy, I need to speak with you." He gestured me to follow him. "Come, to the Big House."

I followed him all the way to the Big House. The camp seemed dead; the air of excitement that was floating around at dinner had disappeared. Not a single cabin had a light on. The campfire was extinguished. The only source of light came from the moon and the windows of the Big House. Chiron opened the door for me and we both stepped inside. He told me to sit down. His eyes were grave.

"Percy," he began. "You already know that the children of Zeus killed those campers. But there is more I must show you." He moved towards the fountain in the corner of the room. I could see the arch of a rainbow over it. He tossed a drachma inside and said, "O Iris, goddess of the rainbow, show us the situation in the throne room."

The scene shifted to Mount Olympus, then into the throne room. Three gods were present: Zeus, in his "almighty" throne, my father Poseidon on his throne, and, surprisingly, Hades. He was sitting on one of those guest chairs that weren't very comfortable. Nonetheless, he looked enough at ease, almost lounging on the chair like it was a sofa, but he looked angry. Then the sound kicked in, and I found out why. They were having an argument.

"No," Hades said. "I will not give up any more land from the Underworld. Haven't you gotten enough? You have the whole wretched sky."

Zeus laughed, "Wretched? The sky is a great realm, Hades. Unlike yours."

"Enough!" Hades bellowed. His expression was thunderous now. "I know you didn't call me here to fight over land. There is another reason. Tell me now. What is this meeting for?"

Poseidon rose from his throne. "We have assembled here for a very important reason —"

"Which is?" Hades asked, irritated.

"The number of our children," Zeus answered.

"The number of our children? Nonsense. I only have one child living, as do you two."

Zeus scowled. "Hades, do not lie —"

"Lie?" Hades shouted, "Have you forgotten our pact? We were not even supposed to have children. You two broke it!"

Poseidon spoke. "Yes, I admit it. But you've broken it as well, brother. Did you think that we did not know?"

"I —" Hades stammered. He looked flustered. "I have done nothing."

"The pact," Zeus said, "has been lifted, brother. Have you forgotten?"

Hades frowned. "No, I have not. But I have no children but my son, Nico."

"Yes, Nico," Zeus said. "But recently another son of yours has been spotted in my realm, flying to, ah, Los Angeles?"

Hades' face turned red. "That —"

"And I believe one of your daughters was recently in my realm, on a cruise to England. You are aware of that?" Poseidon interrupted.

Hades looked defeated. "Ye — yes."

Zeus grinned. "So you admit that you have broken the pact? You have hidden your children from us?"

"Yes." Hades sighed. Then he scowled. "But you two have as well! You have no right to accuse me."

Zeus grunted. "But only Thalia. I haven't sired over a dozen heroes."

Poseidon raised an eyebrow. "Yes, you have."

"What?" Zeus bellowed. "That is nonsense! What proof do you have, Poseidon?"

"One of my own sons has been in a fight with one of yours."

"So you admit that you yourself have more children."

Poseidon nodded. "Yes. Yes, I do."

Oh man, my dad sired new siblings?

Zeus frowned. "Your son — he killed my son?"

"I'm afraid so, brother. I am sorry."

Zeus looked furious again. "I will have to kill him, then."

"You will do no such thing!" Poseidon glared at him. "You'll have to get through me first!"

"It is the order of things, brother."

Poseidon shook his head. "No. You know very well it isn't. You just want revenge."

Zeus stood up. "Then I might as well take it on all of your children!"

"You wouldn't dare —"

"I would!" Zeus yelled. "And I will start with the unclaimed ones!"

Poseidon raised his trident. He looked the angriest I'd ever seen him. "Then it is war, brother."

Hades stood. "Brothers, please don't —"

"Shut your trap, Hades. Or your sons and daughters will be next." Zeus snapped.

Hades' eyes filled with hatred. "Is it war you want, Zeus? Then it is war you will get." He disappeared in a cloud of black smoke.

Poseidon grunted and followed, leaving with a spray of sea salt. Zeus, in frustration, pulled out his lightning bolt. He yelled and a crack of lightning came out of it, blasting into the air. Then he walked out of the room, probably to inform the other gods.

I stared at the now-empty room, eyes wide. War was coming. And it wouldn't be pretty.

Well, there's the chapter.

As you can see, the next chapters will be about, getting ready for war and the actual war scene. But anyway, I need suggestions like I said.

Thanks.