A/N: Switching the rest of the story to third-person because rereading everything to get a bearing on what I was doing in first person was a bit cancerous.
"You are such a pest." Perseus growled as he focused on the silver tip inches away from piercing the space between his eyes.
"Now, now, that isn't any way you should speak to your mother isn't it?" Artemis taunted, waving the bow slightly in front of his face. "You know, I will expect you to apologize for your rather rude tone."
A feral growl erupted within Perseus's throat as he glared at the adolescent in front of him.
"And how will you expect that to happen? After a fun-filled day of public flogging? Or perhaps you expect to exchange apologies and hope that I come crawling back to you on my hands and knees begging you to take me back?" Perseus snarled as his silver eyes began to cloud with black.
"I expect you… to cooperate for a mutual benefit between family." Artemis spoke, glaring at her ostracized child.
"And why would I do that? So you can plunge your dagger inside me the moment I turn my back?" Perseus questioned, cocking his head to the side. "No, I quite like the position I'm at, thank you very much."
"Really?" Artemis asked, cocking her eyebrow. "Doesn't look very comfortable for me."
A loud snort could be heard. "Take away your huntresses and you are nothing. I thought I proved that rather thoroughly the last time we met." Perseus spoke, leaning against the wall of the temple behind him. "You believe yourself to be above all the other gods yet you are more spiteful than Hera herself. If you weren't the result of Zeus's seed, I have no doubts that you and Hera would have been the best of friends."
A steely glint filled the goddess's eyes. Her hands slowly positioned themselves, taking its time to inform Perseus of his final moments upon the Earth. Closing his eyes, Perseus waited for the Eternal Void to embrace him. To hear the twang of the bow string as his death swept him aside.
Seconds passed which slowly crept to minutes. Slightly lifting one eyelid in confusion, Perseus noticed an empty space before him. A space where its previous occupant was sitting on the crystal white beach, staring into the everlasting night sky.
"You didn't fire." Perseus spoke as he approached the waiting goddess. She offered no response as she stared into the stars above.
"You do understand what this means correct?" Perseus continued. Deciding that the goddess had nothing left to say, Perseus turned to leave. Only to be halted by a single word.
"Wait."
Perseus turned to find the silver-eyed goddess staring bitterly at the ground.
"You are right. I've been spiteful. When you were born, I was gifted by the Fates with the title of Goddess of Childbirth. It was supposed to be an honor." Artemis spoke, her eyes distant as she turned her gaze towards the crashing waves. "But everyone found it humorous. Artemis the Just, Artemis the Chaste, gifted for something that is completely contradictory to my patronage of maidens. For one must be rid of their maidenhood in order to be gifted with new life. A broken maidenhood I had when I gave birth to you. I found myself growing blind, bitter."
Perseus's eyes narrowed as he listened to his mother's speech, before he eventually found himself at the end of a pointed finger.
"You." Artemis spoke. "You were supposed to be a gift, a precious commodity. My little light bringer. But my hatred, my bitterness at the way you were gifted to me blinded me. I allowed the words of my father and my own perilous thoughts to turn me from my reasoning. Even so, there is no one I can blame for my actions besides myself."
Dusting the sand that accumulated upon her white jeans, she focused her eyes into Perseus's.
"I do not expect you to forgive me. I just thought I should inform you on the reason you were so ill-treated."
"What brought this around?" Perseus questioned as he watched, discomforted by Artemis's sudden change.
"Hestia. And in a ways, you." Artemis answered. "I'm tired. At a certain amount of time passes. You find that repetitiveness takes its toll. The humor I found in belittling what I perceived to be a miniature Orion has left me. When you left… it hurt. Not just my pride but my… innards as well. Chasing you, was the best way to keep you in my life."
"Such, an eventful way to apologize." Perseus spoke after a small pause. "Is this supposed to mean something for me because after all this time, I hardly care about anything you have to say."
Artemis nodded in acceptance, a defeated look upon her face. "I see that perhaps I have gone too far in my vengeful state. The next time we met, we will be enemies on the battlefield."
"Is that a promise?" Artemis paused before nodding. Perseus sighed before gestured for her to go.
As Artemis turned around, Perseus lurched forward. A sudden gasp escaped her lips as a foreign object entered her body before escaping through her front side. A gurgle escaped her lips as she collapsed onto her knees on the crystal white beach, staring at the bronze sword protruding from her stomach in shock.
"Sentiment," Perseus whispered softly. "I don't fancy myself as a ruthless killer. But rather a boy discriminated by the rest of society. There might have been a time when your words might have meant something to me but not anymore. If it's any consolation, I would have gifted you a slow and torturous death but somewhere, something deep inside of me. It pleads for me to give you a quick one. Against my better judgment, I decided to listen to it."
A gurgled chuckle escape Artemis's lips.
"I should have known. Plunging your blade into my back. I should have saw it coming." Artemis coughed as ichor dripped from her lips. "After having my head cleared, I needed to see you again once more. It is such a shame that I was too late."
"You're rambling." Perseus hissed. "This isn't some sort of Shakespearean play where you say woe to me, for I am dying."
A bloodied smile crossed Artemis's lips as she focused deeply upon her son's face. "There is so much I wished that could have happened. I'm sorry once more for everything that has happened, I only hope that once day, you could forgive yourself for any mistakes you've made."
Perseus snorted before ripping his blade from Artemis's stomach and slicing it through her neck.
"There is nothing I need to forgive myself from." Perseus snarled as Artemis dissolved into golden dust.
Perseus turned to find Hestia and Leto staring at him with stages of shock and horror at what they just witnessed.
"I apologize Leto, but there is only so much a man can take before he breaks." Perseus apologized, focusing the sword back into a hairpin.
"I… I see…" Leto spoke quietly. "I'm sorry if you felt it necessary, but after witnessing the death of my only daughter, I would like some time alone. Preferably after you left my island.
"I understand." Perseus spoke. "If you would please hand me the weapon I arrived with?"
Leto nodded before returning to her temple.
"Was it truly necessary?" Hestia spoke. "You got what you wished. Artemis admitted her wrongdoings and apologized for them before informing you that she would leave you alone."
"No," Perseus spoke, his eyes focused upon the remnants of Artemis. "She told me the next time we meet it would be as enemies. Therefore, it would have been foolish of me to not eliminate my enemy before they had a chance to strike back. Is that a problem?"
"It's…" Hestia began, fixating upon Perseus's face. "A very… tactical way of perceiving things."
Perseus nodded before directing his attention to the approaching Titaness carrying a burden of cloth.
"Here, take your weapon." Leto spoke, her eyes empty as she stared directly at Perseus. "May you find your future pursuits ending in success."
"You have my gratitude Leto." Perseus spoke before walking into the shadows, leaving the two deities behind to stare at the swirling dust that was once Artemis.
-()-
"So she is gone?"
Perseus nodded as he walked alongside Nyx.
"Do you find yourself… conflicted?" Nyx softly spoke, eyeing Perseus as they ascended into the Throne Room.
Perseus paused before shaking his head. "I thought I would… but I find myself, lacking any sense of grief."
"That's not unusual." Nyx spoke, resting her hand upon her son's shoulder. "She hurt you in every way possible. But I find myself surprised that you didn't feel satisfaction from her demise."
"I am not a barbarian." Perseus snorted. "There is no pleasure in taking life."
"Of course, there shouldn't be." Nyx ruffled Perseus's hair before smiling. "Only a mindless beast will kill for the sake of killing. You are neither here nor there."
At Perseus's questioning gaze, Nyx decided to clarify. "Your do not abhor killing but you do not delight in it either. You are indifferent. It's what makes you the perfect warrior."
Perseus frowned. "But isn't it still important to hang onto your humanity?"
"Humanity is overrated," Nyx snorted. "Do you think the spirit residing in you is humane at all? Having someone that is able to possess your body whenever it wishes? If you cling onto morals that humanity forces you to abide by then you are nothing but single minded. Morals limit creativity. Just take a look into the mortal world. The development of the atomic bomb was nothing close to humane at all. Millions dead within the first bombing and millions more suffering from radioactivity afterwards."
"I understand. "Perseus said, rescinding his point.
"You will understand one day." Nyx stated amused. "But onto other matters, the weapon you obtained for me. While forged by those… ebony teletubbies, as you are so fond of referring to them as, the metal the blade is created of is a Primordial concept. One that I have only ever seen created once."
"That's a bit eye-opening." Perseus responded, pausing in his tracks. "Would it stand to believe that perhaps a primordial is behind the Titan uprising?"
"It's probable." Nyx mused as she seated herself on her throne. "But I have lost contact with many of them. Some decided to go dormant, others are busy with their duties, and the rest slowly began to disappear."
"If the threat of another primordial looms ahead…" Perseus began but was immediately waved off by Nyx.
"Do not worry yourself with such matters Perseus." Nyx spoke. "You need to focus on the current threat. Let me worry about everything else.
Perseus sighed but nodded. Before he left, Perseus decided to voice a nagging thought in his head.
"The fight with Hyperion." Perseus spoke, deciding to break his mother from her musing. "I found myself considerably weaker, I don't understand why."
A snort escaped his mother's lips causing for Perseus to grow annoyed.
"You are truly thick-minded. Why indeed, the normal titans should provide only a slight challenge to you. Hyperion is a Titan of Light." Nyx spoke in a slow tone, enunciating every syllable. "You are a Champion and son of Night. It will only come to stand that any prevalent source of light will be rather… difficult for you to overcome. For example, if you and Apollo were to fight, you may find yourself battling a God that would seem stronger than say… Poseidon, due to the fact that Apollo is the God of the Sun which stands to say that he, himself has the ability to cast direct sunlight where he wishes."
"So if the Goddess Hestia were to battle me…" Perseus paused when he noticed his mother raising an eyebrow.
"Hestia is the oldest of the Olympians, compared to her, you are an insignificant bug on the wall." Nyx tittered. "How did the idea of you fighting her ever cross your mind?"
"I met her." Perseus spoke. "Twice in fact, the first time, she stole Artemis right in front of me, the second, she was present as Leto presided over my recovery."
"This is not something I have foreseen, yet it is entirely predictable." Nyx murmured to herself as she lounged in her throne. "Tell me Perseus, how do you feel about her?"
"She is… alright for present terms," Perseus said, pondering in thought. "She threatened me the first time we met and the second, we just talked, it was… entertaining."
"I would assume so." Nyx spoke. "Hestia was known to be the most caring Olympian before she found herself a victim of Zeus's machinations. Since she did not fit with his ideals, Zeus did the only thing he is able to do best. Lord his authority over others."
"Will Zeus be a problem?" Perseus asked. Nyx smiled and patted Perseus on the head.
"Of course not, in the end, Zeus is only helping us." Nyx decided to continue when she noticed Perseus's quizzical look. "Zeus has grown accustomed to power, therefore he believes himself to be the absolute authority. His word is law. And with his power play of filling the council with his children, the other gods have less authority, causing them to have less say in what they wish."
"But what if Zeus decides to have the entire council defend Olympus if we attempt to draw them away?" Perseus questioned.
"Such simple-minded questions." Nyx sighed. "If only the Goddess of Wisdom was on our side. Grab my hand, I would like to show you something."
Despite being annoyed at the barb sent his way, Perseus clasped hands with his mother who immediately pulled them into a shadow.
When they reappeared, the first thing Perseus heard was a loud roar.
"Gods, what the Hades was that?" Perseus growled as he massaged his ears.
Grabbing ahold of her son's arm, Nyx gestured to the plumes of ash that shot into the sky.
"Is that… Mt. Saint Helens?" Perseus questioned, staring for affirmation from his mother. "Why are we here?"
"We are here to witness what is likely to be the Olympians' distraction." Nyx answered. "Imprisoned within the volcano as the power of Western Civilization shifted, lies Typhon. The father of all monsters. There is a reason why the Olympians fear Typhon. Especially his release as there is only so much they can do. Dread it, run from it, destiny still arrives. And it is all thanks to you."
Perseus blinked and stared at Nyx in shock. "I caused this?
Nyx smiled before raking her hand through Perseus's hair. "Yes, my little destroyer. The resulting explosion from your battle with Hyperion was enough to weaken the shackles that bound Typhon within the Earth.
"How was I able to… to cause this? Surely I don't have this kind of power?" Perseus murmured to himself as he stared at his own handiwork in wonder.
"You are essentially a god without domains Perseus. The power you hold is necessary for ending the reign of the Olympians." Nyx smiled. "And the Titans as well. As Kronos seeks to return, through what I believe to be possession after the son of Hermes decided to descend into the depths of Tartarus. The boy will die but Kronos does need him for his ascension.
"We still have to worry about Hestia though." Perseus warned. "While not exactly friendly with Zeus, Hestia will be left behind to defend Olympus. If she is as powerful as you say, it will be quite problematic to fight against her. Even with a whole army at my beck and call."
Nyx narrowed her eyes. "If you cannot fight her, then use her."
"How?" Perseus questioned. "I doubt she will abandon Olympus if we become buddy, buddy. Nor do I think I could convince her to help destroy Olympus."
"What I meant was seduce her." Nyx clarified, looking slightly peeved. "You two already talked, you both are slightly friendly. What I mean is get her interested in you, convince her to leave Olympus because you made her believe you cared about her. Then by the time she notices that Olympus was attacked, it would have already been too late."
"What happens then? You forget that Hestia controls fire. As a child of Night, I have no resistance against her, my defenses will be ineffective against her." Perseus scowled.
"Semantics." Nyx snorted, waving her hand. "Besides, Hestia is not unreasonable. Distraught she may be, but if you persuade her that you never expected Olympus to be destroyed during your little outing or was doing it for her own safety, I have no doubts you will be able to convince her of your good intentions. But that is up to you for interpretation."
"We still have a problem." Perseus snorted. "Seduction is more Aphrodite's domain. How do you expect me to seduce a maiden goddess when Aphrodite herself could not do so?"
"Aphrodite is, for lack of better terms, ditzy. Her concept of love is skewed so it fits her ideals. Desire, lust, sexual prominence. All fit into Aphrodite's skewed ideals of love. Perhaps there was a time where Aphrodite was true to her domain but her numerous escapades outside of her marriage prove otherwise. No, Aphrodite may ooze seduction but she is anything but subtle."
Pulling her son back into her throne room within her palace, Nyx laid back in her throne and smirked. "Seduction is an art. A game of strategy. Precision, timing, and observation is key when seducing another."
"And you would know this how?" Perseus spoke, cocking an eyebrow.
Nyx shrugged. "You don't live throughout ages without picking up and trying out new things."
Perseus frowned before gesturing his mother to continue. "As I was saying, precision, timing and observation is key. When to greet her, how you greet her, and where you greet her. Is just some of the small but important things to remember. First impressions mean everything."
"Do they offer a class on this?" Perseus spoke, his eyes beginning to glaze in boredom.
Immediately, Nyx began to glare at Perseus. Causing for a chill to run down Perseus's spine. Satisfied, Nyx laid back once more, eyeing her now complacent son.
"You should be glad I'm taking the time to teach you. Otherwise, I would have just left you on your own to figure it out, possibly causing you problems that would end up with you crawling back towards me begging me to help." Nyx spoke, enunciating every syllable during the final part.
Perseus scowled but offered no retort to her words.
A/N: Let me just clear this up right now. I don't want to treat writing as a chore. It caused me to put off writing once and I have no doubts that it will again. I hope you all understand. There is only so much you can do of your favorite thing until you begin to feel pressured towards doing so.