Summary: Hundreds of Demigods felt hurt and abandoned by their parents. Most joined Kronos. Some did not.
CHAPTER FOUR
I forgive, and tell myself that it is alright that my divine parent did not claim me.
The attacks grew worse when I discovered who – what – I was, so surely my parent was ignoring me to protect me. Several demigods from the Ancient Legends became insufferably arrogant when they discovered their heritage, so perhaps my godly mother was trying to spare me that. Gods are busy, so better to be content with what the world gains through their attention than to grow bitter about the lack of attention paid to me personally. When my mortal father told me what I was, I refused to believe it, so perhaps the same thing had happened enough times that my mother wished to spare herself the pain. Demigods weren't the only ones who could feel rejection, after all. My mother is Eirene, Peace, and a dyslexic, ADHD demigod child, whose very presence attracts danger, is the exact opposite for all she embodies. From that perspective, I might be surprised if she did claim me.
Pretty lies, to sooth a wounded heart, but even that could only stifle the truth I had always known for a little while.
Perhaps it is my mother who makes me so accepting, whose heritage is why I find it so hard to lash out in anger or hurl accusations meant to wound, or perhaps it is just me. Anger wastes energy, and I am fortunate to have one parent who I know loves me.
(Who knew that 'Pollyanna' could be an insult?)
Either way, I know that I am one of the few who is content with my status. Many, far too many, are not, and those Undetermined who remain bitter about their lack of acknowledgement are being recruited by a group who claim that they will bring down the gods and re-build the world as a better place.
Too many such claims have been made over the centuries – most of the successful ones resulting in tyranny and suffering for the deluded followers – for me to buy into that, and for all my disappointment, I think that the world is better with the gods than without them.
But I am in the minority, and I know a frightening number who have flocked to the banner of Kronos, the pain of rejection outweighing their common sense.
I am fortunate that everyone expects a daughter of Eirene to be a pacifist – not an unreasonable expectation, and perhaps another strike against my mother claiming me – and Kronos sent nothing worse than a young Hellhound to deal with me when I refused him. Attempting a hostile takeover of the world is enough to keep even a Titan Lord busy, or at least busy enough that he isn't about to contact every potential recruit in person.
I suppose they do not wish to waste resources on a single half-blood, especially when they can simply come back to take care of me once the battle with the gods is over, but for all of my mother's neglect, I will play no part against the gods.
I love my parent, even if they do not love me.
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A/N: The Unclaimed Demigods have always interested me, and I may do a follow-up on the thoughts of a Demigod who did join Kronos, if there is enough interest. We know – thanks to Luke, Ethan etc – what the demigods who joined Kronos thought, but I always wondered about the ones who didn't join him, and this is my attempt at portraying that.
Thanks,
Nat