PLEASE READ
I am sorry I haven't update for a lonnnnnngggg time but I finally have, so whatever.
I'll just skip straight to the reviews.
Mundster Madman - I was never much of a religious person. I was looking up the seven sins for something and saw that Satan represented Wrath and Lucifer represented pride. So I just used them. I fixed the not saying Percy's name part and I usually forget words below five letters. I'll tell him your response for Nero.
LyingTruth123 - He is actually a guy on this site named 'the man who lives in darkness', not Erebus.
Jade - Queen of Fantasy - I completely understand what you mean. I have read stories that I didn't hate or like till way later. I'm glad you're giving my story a chance.
aesir21 - "Retro king the book 1"? do you mean telling the story of Percy's way to camp. If so, everything I write has a purpose, whether intentional or not. I wrote that to give the kids perspective on Erin's old self.
WeAreTheWorld - I actually did it because I looked up paradise and found Eden as a synonym for it.
Greakfreak - It's weird?... good. I am weird. I'm glad you find it entertaining in a way.
Addicted to PJO - Thank you. I just took some aspects from hundreds of other stories and changed it around to my concept.
gdysuUI - You are the most asinine person I have had the pleasure of reading a worthless comment from. At least I am trying to write rather than insulting people. You call me a fag, well It's obviously you who likes to suck dick, cock munch. Fitting nickname, huh? That should be your username.
Annabeth Brady - Thank you. Were you speed reading or casual?
Gothic Math Freak - Don't put down your imagination. I wrote this story with random ideas constantly popping into my head. The battle scene is good but the movie is just plain awful.
dingrofyz - It's only been two months? It feels like it's been much longer than that.
Guest 3/8/13 - Who are you recommending it too?
Just A Question - She is still a monster and has to reform. I will have something really cool involving her later. Just trust me.
Captain America - Your wish is kind of fulfilled.
Anyway. Hope you enjoy this chapter. It's just an average length.
Chapter 13
She is my Adoptive Daughter!
Erin
Nero was doing his favorite past time and main job for the Fates, cooking, when Erin entered the kitchen. Even the rulers of fate must eat, and once anyone tasted Nero's cooking they would not want anything else, it rivaled Hestia's, who is, coincidentally, Nero's patron in her Roman aspect, Vesta.
He could smell the bacon, eggs and many other morning delicacies on the magical stove. Another creation of Erin's after he got sick of cooking on an open fire.
There were empty plates on the table with remnants of what Erin hoped was food. Most of the children had already eaten and were most likely in the garden. Isabelle and the wolves were most likely still asleep. He sat at the table as Nero brought two plates piled with many foods for both of the large men.
"You're going to have to tell them sometime, Percy" Nero spoke up. Erin glared at his plate.
"Tell them what?" he responded obviously trying to stay away from that specific subject.
"You know exactly what I am talking about. Ten people already have a theory about you. I know you miss them, I know you Percy Jackson. Don't make me have to beat you up to get you to tell" he threatened.
Erin, despite what Nero was talking about, couldn't help but laugh "Y-you…" he didn't even finish his sentence as he broke down in laughter.
His laughter died down "You beat me? The last time we fought, when we met two hundred years ago, I beat the heck out of you; I might add that I had the chance to kill you. What makes you think you could beat me now?" he smirked at Nero's flustered face.
"Exactly, it's been two hundred years, I've gotten better!" he exclaimed indigently.
"So you want to…" Nero cut Erin off.
"Hey! Stop distracting me! Just tell me why you won't confess to who you are!" the king of madness bellowed, glaring at the grand battle-mage.
Erin sighed "You want to know why?" he got a nod in response "Because I'm not Percy Jackson anymore. I gave up that name, that life a long, long time ago. I can't handle it. I can handle going back and seeing the traitors faces but letting them know who I am, I may lose control and you know exactly what would happen then" Nero flinched at the reminder, subconsciously rubbing his hand over a large jagged scar running down his chest that he had gotten, not from Tribune, but Yggdrasil.
That's right; Erin made a scar with a blunt staff.
"What about your family and friends, what about the people of both cities that could use your moral support, what about the women you love? Will you let them think you are still gone from the world while within their reach?" Nero's voice was hard, containing an inclining of insanity gotten from his father, Bacchus.
"The people of both cities would get enough moral support by me just being Erin and my friends and family, well… I-I just can't, I can't bear it alright. To see them look at me with disappointment, resentment, anger, take your pick. I know I should be able to trust them but I thought I could trust Annabeth, the girl that I went through everything with and said she loved me, and Poseidon, the man that was my father till I wasn't good enough for him".
He turned to Nero, who was surprised to see tears glistening in his friends eyes "I just can't, it's too late. I'd prefer to have them think of me as I left four centuries ago rather than how I am now, a man that kills without a second thought".
"Enough!" roared Nero "It doesn't matter what you are on the outside. It doesn't matter that you have killed, for a good cause I might add. The only thing that matters is what is on the inside, who you are is what matters the most, not the blood you have spilled for a righteous cause" he swiveled his gaze to Erin "That is something you taught me Erin, yet you don't see it yourself" Erin's jaw was clenched, his eyes were closed.
"How" Erin rasped, eyes still closed "How do I tell them after four hundred years of staying away? Besides, how do I know if even a single one of them cares for me like they used to? Especially those ten women, I can't take the heartbreak again; I still haven't gotten over Annabeth completely".
Nero chuckled weakly "You ever hear the saying 'the truth will set you free?" he asked, Erin nodded, knowing where this was going, mostly.
"Sometimes the truth hurts; sometimes it's hard to say out loud. There will most likely be blood, yours probably, but after that it will be all mushy. You get it?" Erin smiled at Nero's way of saying things.
"And about those ten not caring for you, I know you have been keeping tabs on them; you know they have never moved on. You know that they love you just as much as you love them" Erin smiled, it was true, at least he hoped it was.
He had kept tabs on most people from his past, without them knowing of course. He does know that they never moved on, let alone tried to date someone in the women's case, other than Aphrodite but that's to be expected with her domains requirements. Shows how much they must care about him now that Erin thinks about it, at least, he hopes.
"I know. But I can't tell them yet, it will only serve as a distraction" Erin knew his excuse was futile, if he knew those ten, and he does, they would've already figured it out.
Nero snorted, thinking the same thing as his friend. He stood from the table; pushing away his plate and cup "Whatever. Let's get going, I'm sure you can't wait to see New Rome again" Erin half scowled, half smiled.
It reminded him of Jason, the pig that took his little sisters virginity, and Reyna, the ever loyal and thoroughly badass Consul of New Rome.
"Yeah, let's get going. I have many things that I need to examine" he looked towards the door where he saw Isabelle coming from.
"Isabelle" she looked at him, eyes unfocused, glazed with sleep "I need to leave for now, I'll be back later, tell the others" her eyes sharpened and she rushed at him.
"Can I come, dad? Please, please, please…" she trailed off saying please so many times that Erin lost count.
"I won't be able to keep an eye on you all the time, Isabelle" she pouted and gave him the largest puppy dog eyes he had ever seen in his life. He tried to look away but he couldn't, it reminded him of Jessie when she pulled that face.
"Alright, Bells, you can come" she squealed in joy hugged him tightly. Erin hugged her back and saw Fable walk through the entrance, away from Mist, who was probably still sleeping. She always hated mornings more than anyone.
"Fable, can you tell the others that Nero, Bells and me are out?" the wolf only nodded sightly, still drowsy. Erin smiled at the wolf; he used to be like that until he forced himself to wake up earlier.
"Okay" he turned to his old adoptive daughter and current best friend "Let's go" he swiped his hand through the air and a blue portal appeared. Nero narrowed his eyes at the portal.
"I'll take my way thank you very much" he shimmered and disappeared in a shower of golden dust. Erin rolled his eyes at Nero's distrust for temporal-arcane portals. He gestured for Isabelle, who had changed and put on makeup, only dark blue eyeliner and the same blue lipstick, in a matter of seconds, to go through first.
She unfurled her wings out of her back and through the specially designed overcoat made by Hecate. Erin was never one to alter clothes or care much about them, leading most that know him to believe that he would walk around naked without a single qualm if he had to. Erin just gave her the ability to fold the wings into her back, they do get annoying when trying to sleep.
She stepped through looking as calm and cold as she did when Erin first met her. He followed suit after shaking his head at her dramatic antics. If she and Artemis met they would get along like Bells was Artemis' twin, not Apollo, or that Bells was her daughter. She was a true man hater that one.
The two came out and saw few people awake and more people just waking up. The burly figure of Nero was strutting up to Erin with a distasteful look, being the champion of Vesta he was a very humble person and the Roman's, his own people's endless pride really bothered him.
"Bells, Erin" he nodded to the two. Bells just nodded, fiddling with her ring, a gift from her adoptive father. Erin watched Bells worriedly, she only did that when she was nervous, and she almost never gets nervous.
People may think it odd that he knows all the kids so well after about one week but a week is a long time, added with Erin's deductive skills, he knew almost everything about them in a span of three days. For example, he knew that Kimberly was abused when she lived with her mother, till he mother gave her to an orphanage, where she came to Eden. Once Erin had found out about her abuse Kimberly's mother was never heard from again.
"Are you alright Bells" he asked, wrapping a soothing arm around her shoulder. She calmed at her father's touch, enough to stop fidgeting at least.
She looked up at her father and uncle nervously, she was always open with Erin and Nero. They were some of the only people who ever cared; even her caretaker in Tempurast city hated her.
"I'm just nervous I guess" she said, eying some of the citizens that were looking at the trio curiously "I was never much of a people person, but a whole city of people looking at me like I'm some flying whale…" she trailed off. Erin wrapped his warm arms around her normally cold body.
She snuggled into his warmth. No matter how mature and cold even the gods may seem, everyone needs to feel wanted every now and then. Erin made everyone that knew him feel wanted without even trying. He was the perfect father, friend and would be an even better lover, understanding, patient, selfless and gentle, everything any woman would ever want in a man.
"You have no reason to be nervous Icicle no would ever think of touching you and if they did Tartarus would look like the isle of the blest compared to me" he spoke with infective confidence and serenity. She calmed down at his words, if the legendary Erin couldn't protect her who could.
"Don't forget me!" yelled Nero "You young ones consider me your uncle and it is my duty as your uncle to make sure you are safe, spoiled and extremely dangerous" he smirked at Isabelle's face, which had morphed into a relieved-cold-determined-dangerous smile.
Erin smiled as Isabelle detached herself from him and got into a conversation with Nero about which weapon is the most powerful. Nero was siding with his cleaver while Isabelle was more along the lines of her double sided, blue-bladed spear. If Erin was in the argument he would choose Tribune without a doubt.
He spoke, not bothering to bring his wrist to his mouth "Cor, what is the ships status?" he asked. He distinctly heard her snort.
"And here I thought you called to talk too little old me" if she was alive she would be pouting. Erin rolled his eyes and began to speak but was cut off… "Everything on board the Harbinger is in top condition. During the night we had a bit of a… disagreement with a few children of Athena, who were demanding the ships schematics. Useless little bastards the lot of those wisdom children" she said the last part extremely quietly. She knew what Erin felt about the wisdom goddess and insulting her children wasn't a smart idea.
"I know Cor. They're all too prideful for their own good. It will end with their demise, it always does" he said in reply, having actually heard the last bit of her comment. Athena had thousands of years to control her hubris while her children didn't usually have even thirty. It was to be expected that it would get the better of them. But to actually demand the schematics for Erin's flagship was completely unacceptable.
"For now on, no one is allowed to even touch the ship unless I give them personal clearance" he sounded relieved, he hated showing off. He turned to the duo, now comparing weapons and pointing out the faults in them.
"The single sided blade ruins the cleaver's close combat efficiency" or "Two sides on a spear can cause damage to your own forces if you are not paying attention". Things like that.
He cleared his throat and spoke "I'm going to the Census hall and will construct the gateway there" they nodded to him, obviously too caught up in their argument on weaponry that would make Ares scream in joy.
He rolled his eyes and walked off, taking notice of the gathering people listening to the two bicker nervously. They were so focused on the duo that they didn't notice Erin slip away silently. Erin vanished past the crowd as a certain group of women found two bickering people, a middle aged man and young and tough looking girl.
Clarisse took an instant liking to the girl when see the beautiful spear in her hand. But the thing that caught everyone's attention was the male and his humongous cleaver and bow, Heartstriker and Serpentsfang. Both of those weapons were almost as famous as Tribune and Yggdrasil. And the man was equal to his weapons in fame.
"The Vanguard of Fate" whispered Athena, watching the man with wide eyes.
Erin arrived at the Census hall without hassle, everyone was gathering around the area he just left. He saw behind the table a stone memorial to the gods. That would do perfectly, though it would be better if it were a circle. Circles, having a smoother and more streamlined shape than squares, allow the magic to flow quicker, but no matter.
He examined what the wall and the brace. The walls were a single block of magically enhanced granite, the whole building was, and the braces were granite fused with imperial gold for strength and stability. It wasn't the best but it would have to do. Limestone, gems and non-divine metals worked best for this, the non-divine metals because they have a stronger link to the corporeal plane than divine metals.
He set to work. He conjured glowing blue chalk, an amulet with the symbol of Hecate, a doorway in this one, and a purple colored gem. The glowing blue chalk was enchanted to infuse into whatever it was drawn on; the symbol was required to keep the portal stable (It would be destroyed during the building of the portal) and the gem was linked to another, these would serve as the connection between this one and the one to be built in New Athens.
He set to work, drawing symbols all over the wall, imbedding the gem in the direct center of the memorial with the symbol hovering in front of it. When he was done he could feel the chalk shimmering below the surface of the wall. Now comes the easy part. He shot a blast of pure arcane energy through the doorway amulet and into the gem. The amulet shattered and a blue vortex filled the memorial space.
Erin looked at it with indifference, he had made too many of these that he usually just forces portals open rather than making gateways. It wasn't that amazing to him.
He closed his fist and the portal shut off, the gem glowing slightly. He stalked off to where Isabelle and Nero were still arguing. The streets were virtually empty and all on it were rushing the same way Erin was.
He arrived at the outside of a big crowd, hearing shouting coming from the center. He pushed and shoved his way through the crowd, no one daring to push him back. When he reached the center he saw an angry Nero, an emotionless Isabelle and thoroughly irritated and jealous, goddesses and immortals.
"What do you mean your Erin Effigy's daughter?" demanded Thalia. He was a master at reading people and knew that Isabelle was very nervous and that Nero was nearly on a rampage.
"That is her own business and she will discuss it with…" he was saying, till he trailed off, looking Erin in the eye. Nero allowed Erin into his memories and showed him what happened.
He saw Nero and Isabelle arguing when the ten approached them and asked some questions. They were all nervous to find the Vanguard of Fate but were even worse when Isabelle introduced herself as Isabelle Effigy, daughter of Erin Effigy.
"She is my adoptive daughter!" Erin's voice rang out over the crowd, silencing everyone. "I found her in an orphanage and adopted her like I have many other children. Now" he turned to Isabelle and Nero "Are two alright?" he asked.
They nodded. He smiled at them "Good. I must go to check other things around the city. These two will not be harassed or harmed in anyway, if they are, you're on your own" he disappeared into mist, when he noticed the ten walking towards him.
Nero sighed as he looked at where his friend was moments ago. He distinctly saw the woman look, far from upset, but furious.
"Erin you fool, you cannot avoid it forever and the more you do the more painful it will be on you" he whispered to himself. He shook his head and dragged Isabelle to the temple of the gods. He needed to clear his head before the madness takes over, again, and he destroys a city of innocence people to rubble, again.
Again, I am sorry for not updating for a long time. But it's there now and hopefully a good chapter.
Please review and tell me what you thought.