'thoughts or flashback'
"normal speech"
Disclaimer: I own nothing of PJO
Chapter Six: It Begins
With a slight downcast expression, Leonidas returned from his post on the cliffs to his soldiers. He had just finished talking to a hopeful, but ultimately ineffective former child of Sparta.
The only good news brought from the encounter was that Ephialtes, the disfigured man, told Leonidas of a goat's path that needed to be defended in case the Persians found it and flanked the Spartans.
Even that was not good enough though, for Leonidas to allow Ephialtes to join his ranks as he requested.
Perseus walked up to the de facto leader of the Greek resistance. "King Leonidas. It's the fifth day of our arrival, by now the message we sent back to the Persians has been long received. They will attack today. What are your orders?"
Leonidas assessed the young and undoubtedly strong Athenian in front of him. It was rare for any leader of a Greek power to cede leadership to another, more so for Athens to do it to Sparta. Perseus knew his limits, knew that Leonidas was far more skilled in the art of war, and Leonidas liked that about him.
"Walk with me Perseus. We have a few new developments to discuss before the Persian invaders march." Leonidas pulled the young Athenian along and over to his friend and second in command Artemis as well as Daxos the deputy captain to Perseus.
The four highest ranked soldiers of Sparta and Athens had put their heads together to come up with something to hold off the Persian army. It wouldn't be perfect but it was the best they could come up with on such short notice.
Soon after working everything out as best they could they each went and gathered all their soldiers. They wanted to let them know now everything that they had come up with.
"We must dispatch some men to guard the goat path." Leonidas finished, after detailing the location and its tactical advantage to those around him. "Any volunteers?"
Predictably the Arcadian soldiers shuffled uneasily as Leonidas asked his question. It was obvious many wanted the somewhat easier job of guard duty but didn't want to be shamed by volunteering for it.
Stelios grinned and caught Perseus' eye. "How about you young Perseus? Surely you can see the wisdom in guarding the path? We don't want to be flanked do we?"
Perseus scowled thinking he was being mocked and responded heatedly. "I will fight the Persians face to face and show them why it was a mistake to invade Greece. If others want to defend the goat path that is fine but I will not be babied by doing that when I can be of greater help on the front lines."
Dilos a man who was known for his loyalty to Leonidas and had a way with words of inspiration poked Stelios in the side. "Pay up Stelios. I told you that our young misplaced cousin would want to fight alongside his brethren of Sparta. Who knows how it was he ended up in Athens but we'll worry about that later."
Astinos, the son of Captain Artemis grinned and laughed along with the few other Spartans that heard the byplay between the two. It seems that Stelios and Dilos had set this up from the beginning, to try and make it look like Perseus was definitely Spartan and not of Athens.
Any further talk was cut off immediately as the ground started shaking, rocks were bouncing around them, and everything started vibrating.
"Earthquake." Astinos commented blandly before looking to Perseus.
Everyone else that had momentarily panicked started to calm down at the idea of it being their own comrade, a demigod son of Poseidon who caused the earth to shake. Some just thought that maybe he was a little aggravated at the small joke Stelios and Dilios had at his expense.
Unfortunately Perseus soon squashed that thought as he grimly shook his head no, that he wasn't the cause of the ground shaking.
Leonidas stepped forward and placed a hand on Perseus' shoulder. "No." He gained a brief look of anticipation and glee before addressing all before him, "Battle formations."
Arcadian, Athenian, and Spartan alike instantly knew what he meant. They at once grew fearful, yet resigned and a bit anxious to finally go to battle against the mighty army of Xerxes.
They'd heard rumors of how his army could shake the earth when they marched and drink the rivers dry, now it was time to see just how much truth there was to the bragging each had heard of the mighty Persian army.
Off in the distance Perseus could see the dust kicked up by the thousands of soldiers heading their way. The rumbling of the ground hadn't stopped and the march of their feet mimicked thunder in sound.
Perseus took a deep breath and picked up his armor from the ground where he'd put it earlier. He snapped the armored breastplate on and fastened the forearm, and shin guards on as well. He might have connected with the Spartan soldiers but he chose to don the blue cloak that signified Athens instead of the red of Sparta.
"Oho maybe you are from Athens after all young Perseus." Stelios teased, "No Spartan is wearing armor right now. We all look forward to possibly finding someone that can grant us a beautiful death."
Anaklusmos was hooked to his side and Perseus picked up another sword made of regular bronze, knowing the Celestial Bronze of Zoë's sword wouldn't work on regular mortals. He also picked up the shield he'd brought all the way from Athens and strapped it to his back.
It was a gift from his brother Theseus, one that he'd received upon his promotion to Commander of the Athenian forces. While it was true that he and Theseus weren't on the best of terms right now, Perseus still treasured the shield.
How could he not? It was one of the few heartfelt gifts he'd ever gotten, not just ones trying to win his favor. That it also helped keep him safe was only a bonus.
Perseus snorted after he registered Stelios' words. "Yes the fact that you are all shirtless and wearing only the bare minimum to hide your junk just screams bravery. I'm very obviously missing out on the male bonding you guys seem to want by giving everyone a free show. And you call us Athenians the boy lovers." He grumbled.
Dilios laughed uproariously at that. "Maybe you shouldn't get into a battle of words with one who was raised by scholars Stelios."
All further talk was halted as they could now see the entirety of Xerxes' army headed their way. How a near solid mass of men were running straight at them to try and crush the Greek contingent.
Spartan, and a few Athenians lined up shoulder for the first time in years, perhaps ever to hold off a common enemy. The Arcadian soldiers had been relegated to the task of guarding the goat path.
Perseus stood alongside Leonidas, Daxos, Stelios, Astinos, and Dilios. He was ready for the fight of his life. He was ready to defend, to be the first obstacle that Xerxes would encounter in invading Greece.
All the soldiers were fighting not only for their city and land, but for their country, for their comrades. For freedom.
"This is where we hold them." Leonidas roared, "This is where we fight!" He slammed his spear on the ground the sound echoing even through the rumble of the approaching army, "This is where they die!"
A resounding chorus of agreement roared throughout the soldiers.
"Remember this day men," Leonidas continued, his voice rising above the din, "for it will be yours for all time."
Perseus turned and addressed his few Athenian kinsmen and the rest of the 300 Spartans at his back. "Fight not only for glory, and honor, but for your country as well. Fight for freedom, fight for mother Greece to live on."
The incoming Persian army was coming ever closer to the waiting Greeks. Many never realized just how large the enemy forces were. The numbers present easily dwarfed the Greek soldiers. It had to be at least 100,000 men coming at them alone.
Who knew how many more lay in wait?
Perseus saw the fear in some of the soldiers' eyes, the despair settling in even among the Spartans who grew worried that all their efforts may be in vain. Yes they wanted to see a glorious death, but that didn't mean they wanted their deaths to mean nothing, to be brushed off and deemed inconsequential before the Persians went on to kill all their families and friends.
Perseus raised his sword high above his head and said the only thing he could think of to motivate both Spartan and Athenian alike. The only thing that that would make them fight better and remember that they held the favor of the Olympian gods themselves.
"Remember one thing my brothers. No matter what happens here, on this day, heroes will be born." He declared boldly.
Leonidas nodded grimly and added, "Yes heroes will be remembered," his voice went higher as he finished, "but legends never die!"
High above the realm where mortals lie, the gods of Olympus watched the beginning to his battle intently. Their gazes never wavered; they dared not lose focus on what was going on.
Zeus nodded in an approving fashion as he witnessed the leaders of the Greeks speak.
Poseidon grinned proudly at the efforts his son was putting in.
Artemis and Apollo, the twins of Leto, hoped that the efforts of the great warriors below would not be in vain. Not before somehow thanking or talking to one of the boys –no man- that they approved of.
One particular goddess was paying close attention to a certain raven haired green eyed demigod. Because of her focus on him, she caught the words of the King that stood right at his side, shoulder to shoulder ready for battle.
"Now that's an interesting idea." She mused quietly to herself. "Perhaps that's how I can get him away from there?"
"History will remember the day," Perseus took up Leonidas' inspirational rant, "that the Persian army crashed like a wave on the unmovable rock that is Greece. How they crashed and folded before the intelligence of ATHENS!" the few Athenian soldiers present roared in agreement, "How they collapsed and retreated from the strength of SPARTA!" Spartan soldiers echoed the proud statement, "History will remember us. And we will become shining examples of why it is foolish to attack Greece! WE. ARE. LEGENDS."
While the leaders of the Greek resistance were busy prepping their men, Xerxes' army had lined up just a few hundred paces away from them. They formed ranks and split down the middle to allow a single man on horseback to address the King of Sparta.
"Spartans!" He called out, "Lay down your weapons."
"It seems that they didn't understand our last message young Perseus." Leonidas chuckled darkly, "Why don't you show them what your throwing arm can do again?"
Perseus grinned maliciously as he grabbed the spear he'd stabbed into the ground at his side. With all the grace and ease of a man who's spent countless hours practicing and honing to perfection his every movement, his form and his power, Perseus hefted the spear in his hand and took a few quick steps forward to gain momentum and throw the spear.
It sailed effortlessly through the air, slicing through the wind and staying true to his aim. He'd thrown it high so that it would travel far, the higher it went the more powerful it would be when coming back down.
The spear moved in a perfect and great parabolic arc through the skies as it sailed closer and closer to the Persian horseman. Everyone could see he was getting agitated at receiving no response from the Spartan King about their surrender.
It was lucky that the wood of the spear blended in so well with the rocks of the cliffs, as well as falling with the sun at its back so the Persian never saw it coming. He never saw the weapon that instantly took his life as it tore into his chest.
All the Persian soldiers were astounded and fearful of the power behind that throw. The great accuracy it held, thrown from such great a distance. This was what the soldiers of Greece were capable of? Maybe them sending so few to defend against Persia wasn't so foolish after all.
"Phalanx!" Leonidas ordered as he and all his men raised their shields and aimed their spears forward. To the waiting Persian army he cried out, "Persians! Come and get them."
"Speak little godling for we have little time,"
"You think us meddlers when our cause be benign,"
"Today, on this day, many paths will be set,"
"but when all's said and done, many will fret. Fate is fluid, fate is just, our duty resented but do it we must." All three women spoke the last lines in tangent. All three synced perfectly to deliver their message to the visiting goddess.
It was more than a bit annoying how they always spoke in rhyme though and many times in riddle. It was near impossible to get a straight answer from them, but then again, no fate is set in stone and no destiny is clear to discern so it was understandable.
She shivered as no matter how often she glimpsed them and no matter how powerful she knew her father to be, she could never fully come to trust or see the Moirai in a good light. They had the power over destiny itself, something no god could ever hope to match, which made them so terrifying and yet necessary to please.
Their dwellings were simple compared to the much more extravagant ones of the gods of Olympus. They sat in a bare stone room, with only a platform in the middle where they all sat in their rocking chairs weaving the threads of destiny.
Their elevated status was to symbolize how they were above all, even the gods as they did their work. None who visited them were allowed to sit on their level. They had to stop before they reached the top. If you were lucky and they spoke to you, you could sit on the first step of their platform.
They had the power to be seen as welcoming and far more approachable but they chose to wear the forms of three old women with silver hair. Each one wore a bandana on their head to hold back the silver of their tresses. All looked ancient and wore cotton dresses over their bony figures.
Hebe finally worked up the courage to approached Clotho the Fate deemed the 'spinner' of the thread of life. "Lady Clotho, if you would do me the honor of hearing this humble one's request? I have only one question I wish answered and would beggar myself at your throne if it so pleases you."
Hebe bowed in front of Clotho before she turned and bowed to Lachesis and Atropos in turn. She knew that she would need the favor of the 'allotter' and the 'unturning' Fates as well. One that measured the thread of life allotted to each person and the other who chose the manner and time of their death.
Amused grins flitted through all of three of the ancient sisters' faces.
"Oh she is humble, oh she is meek, perhaps we will listen to that which you seek."
"Daughter of Zeus, daughter of Hera, a princess that begs, it must be the end of an era."
Hebe flinched, thinking they only humored her and her question would never be answered.
"Come now young goddess, tell us your woes, or be gone from our sight, no longer impose."
"Of course, I will not waste any more of your time. I have fallen in love with a man, a hero truly worthy of any woman's heart. I wish for him to love me as I love him, but I am not like my sisters or a few other goddesses, I will not ensnare his senses and play with him. I wish to know then, if I have a chance, if there is a possibility that I can marry this hero? If I have truly fallen in love with the man I will one day call my husband?" Hebe asked, her voice full of emotion; want, love, hope, sadness, and even fear all present in her tone.
All three sisters laughed at her question, causing Hebe to look down sadly, thinking her fears true.
"This was unexpected; there must be a story, one full of adventure, valor and glory."
Hebe looked up in hope, her heart lifting just a tiny bit. Maybe they laughed not because her question and hopes were never to be but because they were actually amused and interested in why she would care for a mortal?
"Our interest is piqued, so tell us young princess, how did it happen? How was your heart captured by a man that Zeus did not flatten?"
Hebe rejoiced at hearing their question. Even if eerie, they're synchronicity actually helped to calm her spirits. It just meant that she might actually stand a chance at having her question answered instead of being flatly rejected or told to leave.
Her mother advised against seeking the Fates but Hebe was stubborn. She refused to pine over a man that would never love her or that she had no future with. So she sought to find the answer to her question to quell any doubts she may have had of actually pursing her love.
She settled down on the first step of the platform and began her tale. "Well first, his name is Perseus, son of Poseidon and brother to Theseus the King of Athens..."
The Moirai listened in slight amusement and interest as Hebe spun her tale. They listened quietly and didn't interrupt unless it was to have the little goddess clarify something unclear. When it was over they answered her question, for they decided things were much too boring as they were.
Even the Fates get bored at times. If they could reveal a little information about the future then things could get interesting for them to watch over. Not too much though as that would be disastrous, but just enough to get things started.
They were the catalyst for the wheels of destiny to spin. But the future is murky and never set in stone and crystal clear to be looked at, even the Moirai knew this. Which is why they felt safe in sharing just enough with the little goddess to satisfy her.
The ultimate conclusion to young Perseus' fate wouldn't change, but the path he'd have to walk until then just grew a little bit more exciting.
A/N sorry for the long absence but I was on vacation at the… beach. Right, the beach since I had to build an epic sandcastle. My fellow author anaklusmos14 was in charge and taking messages for me while I was away. So I'm back now and totally ready for all feedback you can give me on this chapter.
Side note and question: So I hear the Sea of Monsters is out now. Is it worth the money to go see it? Cuz let me tell you, the movie version of The Lightning Thief totally sucked and I'm not trying to go for a repeat of an epic failure.