Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus Series.

Story: Divided Soul

Chapter 35: Children of Nyx

Mount Olympus – throne room

Sally or Lady Styx stood still; she made no attempt to look into the sea green eyes of the man she would always love; the man who had fathered her only child.

"What?" Athena and Zeus asked at the same time. The two gods were in complete shock, but Poseidon was on the verge of a total mental breakdown. He stood completely still between his brother and his niece.

Hestia sighed. She knew that everyone would be too shocked to speak or to comprehend, however she was surprised that Athena seemed so flustered.

"Lady Styx is Sally Jackson; Sally Jackson is Lady Styx," Hestia exclaimed as she stepped between the goddess of the river of mortality and the three Olympian gods.

Hestia's words broke the sea god away from his mental confusion. "Why didn't you tell me?" Poseidon asked. His voice was filled with a mix of anger, disappointment and sheer shock.

Sally sighed. "I never wanted to hurt you," she said.

Poseidon ran his hand through his hair; one of the many mannerisms that Percy had gained from his father. "I don't know what to say." Poseidon admitted.

"This means Percy is immortal. Annabeth will be heartbroken," Athena said with a hint of sadness in her voice. "Hestia, why didn't you tell me?"

Hestia frowned. Athena was her favorite niece, but she had no choice, but to keep the secret. "I'm sorry, but I was sworn to secrecy by the Fates."

"Why?" Zeus asked curiously. He had been incredibly quiet, but when Hestia had said the Fates, it seemed to break him away from his shock and dismay.

Hestia looked to Sally. Sally Jackson began to glow again until she morphed back into the form of the Lady of the Styx. "Every thousand years I take on the form and mortality of a human. I live out a normal life, but never in the several human lives that I've led did I ever have a child, until now," Styx said.

"Why now?" Athena asked.

Styx smiled at the question. "I fell in love," she said as she looked at Poseidon. The god of the seas looked uncomfortable under the goddess's stare. "Percy was conceived through that love. He is my first and only child."

"Is Percy an immortal?" Zeus asked. It was the question everyone was wondering.

"No, he is not," Styx replied.

"How can that be?" Athena asked. She was relieved for Annabeth's sake, but now her curiosity had taken over.

"As the goddess of the Styx and mortality I was able to transform into a true mortal," she explained.

Poseidon looked at the marble floor of the throne room. He was lost in thought. "This has to do with your sisters, doesn't it?" Poseidon asked.

Styx smiled at her son's father. Athena gave Poseidon a surprised expression. "That is correct; my sisters are the Fates," Styx said. "They saw the future before Apollo's oracle. They told me that I would have a child, but they did not tell me who the father would be."

Athena and Zeus looked at each other with similar expressions on their faces. "What else did they tell you?" Zeus asked.

"They said my son would be the most powerful demigod ever born; he would save Olympus and the world," Styx replied.

"They were correct, of course," Athena said. Poseidon nodded.

"Yes, we know they were right," Zeus said grudgingly. Poseidon smiled at his brother's unease in giving a son of Poseidon a compliment. "What else did they say?"

Styx frowned at being ordered around; even by the King of the gods. "You may be the King of Olympus, son of Kronos, but I've lived longer than you. My mother like my sisters was Nyx, daughter of Chaos. Do not presume that your authority applies to me or my sisters," she declared.

Zeus growled. "You dare defy me," Zeus said angrily.

Three white lights appeared in the throne room. When the lights faded the three Fates stood before the King of the gods. "How dare you act so harshly against our sister," the Fates said with one voice.

Poseidon watched his brother's face. The look of outrage was gone. It was replaced with a look of fear and trepidation. "I think you better calm yourself, brother," Poseidon said.

Athena smiled at the King of the seas. "Poseidon gives wise counsel father," Athena added.

Poseidon gave a slight nod to the wisdom goddess. "You know it must be true, if the two of us agree," Poseidon said with a wry smile as he gestured between Athena and himself.

Athena rolled her eyes at the antics of her formal rival.

Zeus sighed. He knew that Styx and the Fates were correct; they were beyond his authority. A fact that he didn't like, but he knew they wouldn't fight him. They wouldn't interfere, but Styx had; she had a child with his brother no less. However, he also knew that a prophecy such as one from the oracle couldn't be ignored, but one from the Fates was something to be feared. The only question was who should be afraid? "Please… tell me… what else did you learn about Percy?" Zeus asked politely, but anyone that knew the King of the gods could tell that he didn't like having to ask politely.

The Fates looked at their sister and nodded. Styx sighed. She looked at Poseidon; he gave her a small smile. "He will lead all the demigods against Gaea. Percy will be the difference in the war. He will bring peace to Rome and Greece. He will change the lives of all Half-bloods," Styx said proudly. "That is what they told me."

Athena watched Styx as she spoke. She could tell that she was holding back. "I'm sorry, but I can tell you're holding back something," Athena said. Poseidon frowned at her.

Zeus smiled at his daughter before glaring at Styx. "What didn't you tell me?" he asked arrogantly.

Styx was about to tell him off, but the Fates stepped between her and the King of the gods.

"What she didn't tell you was that you would try to kill him," The Fates said. Poseidon glared daggers at his brother; Athena could see the rage building in his sea green eyes.

"Poseidon, please calm down," Athena urged. Poseidon was taken aback by her tone.

He sighed. He didn't want to fight, there had been too much fighting today. He turned away from his brother and looked at Athena. "I will back down because you asked," Poseidon said.

The Fates stepped closer to the King of the gods. Zeus's master bolt appeared in his hand. "If you throw that bolt it will be the last thing you ever do," The Fates threatened. Zeus's weapon disappeared. The Fates were only a few feet from the lord of the skies now. "We foresaw that your paranoia and jealousy would turn you against our nephew. After the war you tried to kill him, but you failed, however you did inadvertently destroy him."

Zeus's face was impassive. He didn't show any emotion. "What happened?" Zeus asked. He looked quickly at his brother and daughter. Both gods were glaring at him.

"You killed Annabeth," The Fates said.

"What?" Athena yelled. She ran to attack her father, but Hestia and Poseidon held her back.

Zeus's electric blue eyes flashed with anger, but when he looked into Athena's grey eyes a shiver of fear went down his spine. "It hasn't happened," he said defensively.

Athena's grey eyes darkened like storm clouds. "It's never going to happen," Athena yelled. "Do you hear me?"

Zeus looked down. He couldn't look into his favorite daughter's eyes. "It won't happen; I swear it on the Styx," Zeus declared with his hands raised in the air.

Styx stepped forward as thunder cracked over heard. Her dark blue eyes flashed as the thunder struck. "Your vow is sealed. Defy this one and I will see you destroyed," Styx said. Her blue eyes glowed with the power of the river that was named after her.

Athena sighed. Hestia and Poseidon let go of her. She looked at both of them apologetically. "I'm sorry," she said softly.

Poseidon smiled at her. "I understand, if I wasn't keeping you from bashing your father's brains in I would be attacking him," Poseidon said as he sent his brother an irritated look. Athena returned his smile. She was glad that they were both on the same side now; the side of their children.

Zeus shook off his brother's glare. He was too focused on Styx and more importantly the Fates. "What happens now?" he asked.

Poseidon and Athena walked up next to the Fates. "We open up Olympus and help our children defeat Gaea," Poseidon said. Athena nodded.

"What about Percy?" Hestia asked as she looked at Styx.

"When do I tell him the truth, you mean?" Styx asked.

Hestia frowned; she didn't like to see her friend suffer.

"You should wait until after the final battle," Athena recommended.

"I agree, if you tell him now it will only serve to distract him. We need him focused on the task at hand," Poseidon agreed.

Styx sighed. The Fates moved to comfort their sister. "Whatever happens, we will be there for you," they reassured.

Styx gave them a thankful smile. "I hope he doesn't hate me," Styx said softly.

"Our son could never hate his mother. You kept this secret to protect him," Poseidon reassured.

Styx stepped forward and pulled Poseidon into a tight embrace. "I'm sorry for keeping this from you," Styx whispered.

Poseidon bent down next to her ear. "Our time together may be over, but I'll always care for you. There is nothing to forgive," he said. "Live that mortal life with Paul; you deserve to be happy."

"What about after that?" Styx asked.

"I'm married; we both know I can't change that," Poseidon said with a hint of sadness in his voice.

"I know," Styx said before they pulled apart. She walked to her sisters before the four children of Nyx disappeared into a golden light.

Athena and Hestia approached the sea god. He just stared at the ground sadly. "She is a remarkable goddess," Athena commented.

Hestia smiled at her niece. "She is a good friend," she said.

Poseidon looked up at the two goddesses. A tear trailed down his cheek. The two goddesses were shocked to see it. Poseidon wiped the tear away. "She really is," he agreed.

Mount Olympus – Original

Leo sat on the ground between Percy and Nico. The two sons of the big three were still unconscious. Nico's gash on the side of his head had healed.

A sudden noise made Leo stand up quickly with his hammer in his hand. Out of the trees came Jason followed by Annabeth and the others.

"Thank the gods," Leo sighed in relief. "It's about time." He shook his finger at Jason.

Jason frowned. Piper's face lit up in amusement. "Sorry mom," Piper quipped. Leo glared at her.

Annabeth ran to Percy. She dropped to her knees and put his head in her lap. Piper and Jason ran to Nico's side.

Piper gasped at all the blood on Nico's clothes. "Is he okay?" Piper asked.

"He'll be fine. I gave him some nectar and ambrosia," Leo reassured. "He's just exhausted from the fight."

Piper sighed. Jason looked down at the ground in guilt. "What's wrong?" she asked worriedly.

"It's my fault. I could have killed Nico," Jason explained. He looked over at Percy and sighed. "Percy had to save me."

Piper wrapped her arm around Jason's shoulder. "No its not," she reassured. "Percy and Nico won't blame you."

Annabeth smiled at her friend. "She's right; Percy would never blame you," she agreed.

Percy moaned and moved slightly in Annabeth's lap. He opened his eyes; his sea green ones met the grey eyes of the girl he loved.

"Hey sleepy head, it's about time you woke up," Annabeth said.

"I'm so comfortable here; I didn't want to wake up," Percy said as he twitched his eyebrows suggestively. Annabeth's cheeks turned red. Piper laughed at the look on Annabeth's face.

"Shut-up Seaweed Brain," Annabeth said in embarrassment.

Percy chuckled. "As you command Wise Girl," he said.

Annabeth helped him stand up. Percy looked down at his unconscious cousin. "Nico saved my butt," Percy said. The others all laughed. "Don't laugh its true. The cave was collapsing. He jumped out of the shadows and grabbed me. He pulled me with him and shadow travelled us out of the cave."

Nico groaned and opened his eyes. He saw Piper and smiled. "I think I've died and gone to Elysium," Nico said.

Leo smiled at his friend. "Why's that?" he asked.

Nico grinned at the son of Hephaestus. "I'm looking at an angel," Nico explained. Piper's cheeks turned pink. Jason glared at the son of Hades.

Leo and Nico began to laugh furiously. Nico pulled out a drachma and threw it to Leo. Leo caught it between his fingers and smiled victoriously.

"What did you two do?" Piper questioned.

"Repair Boy bet me that he could prove that Jason was in love with you," Nico said.

"I won because that jealous look on Sparky's face says it all," Leo said before pointing at Jason. Jason's cheeks turned red as he looked away from Piper.

Percy cleared his throat. Everyone turned to look at him. "We need to get back to the ship. We have a long journey home and another battle to fight," Percy explained.

Everyone stood up. Leo and Piper helped Nico to his feet. Annabeth walked with them to check on Nico. Percy and Jason brought up the rear.

Percy grinned. "You owe me, again," Percy said.

Jason looked at his friend. "What?" he asked curiously.

"I saved you again," Percy replied.

Jason frowned. "I don't need saving," he protested.

Percy laughed. "You could have fooled me," Percy quipped before running off to catch up to the others.

AN: Percy and Nico are fine and we learned much more about Lady Styx and her family. Stay tuned we have one more battle before the war with Gaea ends.