L enters the room. He bows to Hestia first, then Mars and then to Artemis. He waits for them before doing anything. "How are they?" Hestia asks and only then does L rise.
"They're fine. Thalia and Nico," L says although he feels awkward using their names in front of Artemis. "Are fine. They're vitals are good. Percy managed to induce them enough charge for their energy to recuperate. Their amount of energies are steadily rising. They're expected to get up on a day or two. Though we should expect storms, uneasy seas, or if worse comes to worse, hurricanes and earthquakes when wake up," L muttered the last part. Hestia and Mars nodded in understanding
"Storms and earthquakes?" Artemis inquired
"They'll have to let the amount of sea energy Percy gave them out somehow. And with the amount Percy gave them, well, yeah, you know the rest," L shrugged.
"Speaking of Percy, how's he?" Mars asked.
"He's stable, but his energy levels are totally low. Aku is weak. His wolf is trying to let him borrow some boosts up energy but it's not helping much. We'll have no idea how long he'll be out."
"And have you found out anything about what happened to the lieutenants?" Artemis asked referring to Thalia and Nico.
"No" L said—not a complete lie. "I think we'll have to wait till they wake up, my lady," L said. Artemis nodded.
"The lieutenants has been lost for two days. How will we explain it to the hunters how Thalia's been gone? I don't even know where she went to even get lost," Artemis said as if inviting anyone to enlighten anything about what the lieutenants had been up to to even get lost.
"The hunters still don't know that Thalia's already been found. We can wait for an explanation for them when the two wakes up. They owe us explanations too," L said. Mars nodded in agreement.
"On other pressing matters, Olympus has taken notice of the increase on monsters," Hestia said.
Mars scoffs. "Don't say it like that. You say it as if some tens of monsters were added. We're talking about sudden growth here. Athena even said that there are at least 150% more monsters right now and the stats are still rising!"
"Nephew," Hestia sighs and Mars scrunches his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, calm down, whatever, auntie," Mars mumbles.
"They're sending out satyrs and demigods now for demigod-retrievals and such," Artemis says as a matter of fact.
"But even then, it's not fast enough," Hestia adds.
"My ladies, lord," L said. "May I ask, does Olympus, do any of you have an idea what's causing this?" L said. Mars paled a bit. Hestia looked a bit grim. Artemis's expression was veiled. "I have my suspicion," Artemis said and she looked at Mars and Hestia. They looked like what was on their minds was more of a fact than a suspicion.
"The fates called it σύμπτωση—the Concurrence," Hestia said. " Artemis paled considerably. Her suspicions were right.
"Zeus had his suspicions, and 'Thena had just finished her calculations. The probability that it really is the Concurrence is high. That's why father is calling a meeting in three days," Mars sighed
"Why wait three days?" Artemis said
"Half the Olympian Council is busy trying to balance the scales a bit. So we'll have to wait it out for a while if Zeus wants a full-fledged meeting," Hestia answered
Mars muttered something like, "If we wait the whole Concurrence out, we'll fade for sure"
L didn't understand any of this. "My ladies, my lord, what is the Concurrence?" He says
"Imagine two dots, side by side, each of different colour—say, green and orange," Mars ordered. L nodded. "The green dot only appears after 3 minutes. And then it disappears. It will only show itself every three minutes. The orange dot appears in four minutes" Mars continued.
L didn't know what this had to do with the Concurrence but he nodded again. "At the count of 6 minutes, the green dot will appear again and disappear. The orange one won't. Eight minutes, the orange one will appear, but the green one won't. Nine minutes, the green one then appears." He says. "Now, what happens when the timer says twelve minutes?" Mars asked.
L thought and then, "Both the dots will appear."
"Correct," Mars nodded. "Now, imagine millions among billions of dots, each having their own rate when they appear and when they do not. And let's say the standard time unit used to measure each of their rate are not minutes, but decades. It'll take a long time till all of them appears at the same time, yeah?" Mars said. "But they will appear at the same time," Mars said.
"Now imagine," Hestia said carefully. "Imagine all those dots to be every creature in Tartarus"
L gasped. "You're not saying—"
"Yes," Artemis breathed. "Monsters have their own fate. And the fates have predicted—no, it is inevitable, no matter what the fates do and no matter how they delay it, at one point as every creature dies and reincarnates and lives for a time and to die and repeat, at one point, all of them will resurrect at the same period"
"A-all of the creatures of myths?" L asked shakily.
"Yes, all of them. The known, the infamous," Artemis paused and shivered as she said, "And even the forgotten."
"It is only starting," Hestia said. "And when it is at its peak, it is most frightening. There are probably as much specie of them as there are stars"
"The Concurrence is the period where all the monsters—not exactly at the same time in the same second—walk the earth once more. Note, it is a period. And with their number, no one knows how long the Concurrence will last."
"How long did the last Concurrence last?" L asked.
Mars barked a laugh. "My boy!" He exclaimed. "We're talking about all the creatures there are. It doesn't just take millennia. It takes ages. We, my boy, are the unfortunate age to experience, the first Concurrence in all the History of the gods"
The atmosphere in the throne room was intense. None of the younger gods even tried to lighten the mood. Hades was present but Demeter hadn't uttered a single word about wheat to him…or anyone else for that matter. Ares wore an intelligent seriousness in his face even though he was not in his Roman persona. And instead of gushing over this, Aphrodite had her posture ever more straightened and even a bit stiff. Hephaestus wasn't tinkering with anything, not a bolt or nut in sight. Dionysius was sitting up straight and regal. No alcohol seemed to glaze his eyes nor magazines to cloud his throne. Apollo and Hermes weren't cracking any jokes either.
Lightning flashed in the middle of the room and what replaced it was Zeus sitting in his throne which signalled the beginning of the meeting. Zeus gestured to Athena.
"σύμπτωση" she said. "The Concurrence has begun"
Comments flared all around the room.
"We must strengthen defen—no, offen—no, our domai-, no—EVERYTHING!" Ares cried.
"Our children!"
"The citizens of Olympus!"
"Our people!"
"The mortals!"
"The monsters!"
"And then the beings that will come with and after the monsters!"
They kept on spouting off concerns and problems all summarized in one word. Until Zeus decided on a lightning flash and bellowed
"ENOUGH"
Everyone hushed and waited for the King of the Gods to take control. This was probably the most important moment Zeus has as King of the Gods. This was the moment that would determine whether he was truly fit to rule. After all, no King nor Ruler has ever lived through the stress of handling a Concurrence.
"If we fall into chaos now, we will only feed the concurrence! We must exert control now of all times! And we will do so, systematically!" He said. "Athena!" He barked. At that moment, a large floating transparent screen, were placed occupying the whole middle of the throne room.
"We will work this out, strategically. We will cover everything and I mean everything for this concurrence" Zeus said. "We'll divide it first for the concerns of each of the major domains. The Sky, the Sea, the Underworld, and the Mortalword"
Everyone nodded. Statistical data appeared on the screen and information that would make any normal human brain burst. They talked about protocols and laws and enforcements. Athena had suggested a movement similar to what the 20th century used to call martial law. The Sky was the easiest to handle. After all, it was the home of the majority of the gods. However, the Sea and the Underworld was tricky. Only a few would be able to aid it in dire times. Athena glared at his father.
"Don't use that stare at me, daughter. I have already decided even before you brought it up," Zeus said.
"Brothers," Zeus said. Poseidon and Hades looked at them. "I am giving back your Tribute," Zeus asked and many gasps were heard.
"B-brother," Poseidon said almost touched. Hades could feel that he was beginning to look at his younger brother with a little respect. Finally, after years.
The Tribute was supposed to be a gift to the King when he is first crowned. But to the King it meant other meanings. He was to take a huge chunk of the power of a god as a sign of subservience.
Hades' Tribute was his own servants. Of high ranks in the underworld and low, a huge mass of his minions had been put to an everlasting sleep. Warriors and armies were just at rest for millennia.
Poseidon's Tribute had two: power and bloodline. The inheritance of power in all of the citizens in the sea, a percentage was taken away at birth since Zeus became King. Not only was the power decreased, but along with it, a percentage of their life time was also cut. And as for the bloodline, a few bloodlines of the Sea were cursed so that when they are born, they only live a quarter of the life they were meant to live, and then after that, they too, like Hades' men, are put to sleep. Only if they are awakened will they live the three quarters of their lives they were meant to have.
Poseidon was the one who had to sacrifice more considering the fact that his fatal flaw was loyalty and so was more prone to Zeus taking advantage of it at that time, also not a lot was known of Hades power and realm so Zeus couldn't really ask for more. The Dark Power was only understood by a few.
Zeus nodded and accepted their reaction as the closest thank you he can get.
"I disagree to doing this right now, father" Athena says. "We must keep all our assets a secret as much as possible," Athena says. "I suggest we release their Tributes in the most advantageous time, but for now, let us leave it be," she finished. Poseidon and Hades grunted but nodded their approval.
"I give you the cottage, Athena" Zeus said and Athena stood taller as her father gave her the responsibility. I give you the cottage was the same as the old saying 'I give you the floor'
"Lord Poseidon and Lord Hades will have to endure as much as possible without the return of their Tributes. But even if it becomes too much, the Tribute's return will ensure the stability of their realms. The priority right now is calm and order. The last thing we need is panic. And unpreparedness. Which is absurd, because despite the grimness of the situation, we are not as ally-less as we were once," Athena smiled as she remembered the Titan and Giant wars long before.
The other gods caught up to her meaning. They had built a rather strong relationship with the minor gods. And they guessed, they owe it to the Lost Hero of Olympus. At the thought, their smile went to a sad smile.
After a few hours, the council of the minor gods (which the lost Hero had founded together with the Great Annabeth Chase. The details of the proposals and hearings it needed to go through were done by her) had joined in.
Details and details were made throughout the whole day. Neither the minor gods nor the Olympians felt that they were asking each other for help. Instead, they felt united. After all, after years, the Olympians had stopped depending on themselves and became more open to their family. Each god owed a favour to another and the other vice versa and each had helped the other on more than one occasion.
Why the over acting reaction to the Concurrence? They were paranoid, yes. The Concurrence defined all creatures of the myths. The reason they were paranoid was because during this century, or maybe millennium, or during however long the Period of Concurrence will last, at one point in that period, the Titans and Giants will rise again among with the others.
"D-do you think mother earth will rise again?" Hermes hesitated to ask the question they have all been adding.
"No," Poseidon said soundly. "My son's sacrifice, and Athena's has been enough and more powerful than we could have ever hoped. I am sure she will not be influenced by the Concurrence," Poseidon said and half the room sighed in relief.
"However," Athena said. "That will not stop the others from forcefully raising her themselves, regardless of the Concurrence or the sacrifice," she finished and everyone became stiff.
"But they will have a hard time, though," Athena assured them. Hecate nodded. "Even without the sacrifice, they will need great magic or great power to awaken the goddess. With the Sacrifice, it is now enchanted tenfold, surely," Hecate reasoned.
"Athena," Zeus said. "Ask the other deities of knowledge and wisdom to search for any possibility that enemies may use to awaken the goddess. Only they could be trusted by this important task," Zeus said. Said representatives of the deities that were present straightened with pride. And a bit confusion. Yes, the Olympians have definitely change a lot and have gained the other gods' favour. But it was rare still for Zeus to say stuff like that.
"Apollo, once information has been found, make sure to send quests to annihilate the possibilities," Zeus said.
Hephaestus was ordered to open all of his forges and the gods who were not given a responsibility yet or had taken a break from it would train.
"Last concern," Athena said. "The Mortalworld"
"Yes, what of our children?"
"We can't do much once they start attacking off in the mortal world. Interference is prohibited by the ancient laws"
"Indirect interference wouldn't help much"
Zeus cleared his throat. "I think we owe Hestia and Mars the solution to this problem. Hestia?"
Hestia flicked and four columns of fire appeared. The Ace of the Pack lied down relaxed on his wolf Aku. The cloaked Lieutenants were there as well. Nico was beside Pisto and Thalia perched graciously on Nyx. And what replaced the last column of fire was the leader of the Pack sitting on a floating staff of metal snakes.
(Earlier)
"YOU TELLING ME WITH MY LUCK I'LL PROBABLY BE FACING THE MINATOUR. AGAIN? WHUUT?!" Percy shouted as L explained the situation. L groaned. "Out of everything I told you, you know, giants and titans rising, probably in succession, monsters on the loose, and that's all you get from it? I give up on you, man," L shakes his head.
Percy groaned. "You know what I was thinking when I was asked to be a god?" Percy muttered
Thalia and Nico groaned. Here we go again. "You know what I was thinking?!" Percy exclaimed. "YEAH YEAH WHAT WERE YA THINKING" L says wanting to get over this
"I was thinking, I was effing LUCKY TO HAVE FOUGHT IN THE WAR THAT I HAD. But the gods?! Meh they have to fight in EVERY war until THEY FADE. And until their age dies. I thought, 'hey, at least I don't get to fight their last and therefore loosing and therefore most painful fight and watch everything I know and served gone and be destroyed' and then I refused to be a god and then BOOM SHIT HAPPENED AND NOW I'LL PROBABLY ROT ALONG WITH THE REST WITH THEM" Percy continued to mutter something about wishing he died in battle or something.
Thalia groaned. So it's that time of the month for Percy. "Dude, calm down," Nico said. "I know you just got your energy levels back and that's why you're so cranky but seriously, you're destroying my vibe" Nico complained.
Percy calmed down. "Aw, man, not again" Percy said commenting on the Concurrence. "I know dude, I know," Nico consoled.
"Anyway," Percy grinned. "What's the plan?"
"The plan that Hestia told Zeus was us splitting in half and the other half help saving demigods and stuff (well that was the short version and less detailed), But the real plan will be them pretending to be half of us (since barely a handful knows about them)and help save the unclaimed demigods all over the world while we—"
"Hell no."
Percy said it so calmly—that it was deadly.
"You know you can't stop this, Percy," L said feeling defeated by their situation
"The Pack will be halfed as are the hunters." Mars explained. "The half will help satyrs claim our children and lead them to safety. So I suggest you spread the word to every single one of you to speak up and inform Dionysius, who by the way is ordered to take charge of the Camp once again—"
Dionysius muttered something about 400 years of freedom was still not enough and was too early to be dragged back to the camp
"—to asses and strengthen the hold, so that he may organize to prepare are retrieval of your child. The Roman and Greek camps will be merged. The other half of the Pack will stay in the Camp to guard it and to train our heroes. All who agree that they are competent enough for the job, raise your hands and say I" Mars said
A unanimous decision. "The I's have it"
"These brats—I mean four, will be the main people who will lead. They know have to swear the oath for the gods."
"Repeat after me," Hestia said.
The four of them, especially Percy, hesitated but did anyways.
"As the Period of Concurrence comes,"
"As the Period of Concurrence comes," they said
"I take the responsibility that was given to me by my Patrons"
"I take the responsibility that was given to me by my Patrons" they repeated
"Until the last moment of the Concurrence,"
"Until the last moment of the Concurrence,"
"I am bound to uphold and to perform my duties to my utmost"
"I am bound to uphold and to perform my duties to my utmost"
"I swear on the River Styx"
"I swear on the River Styx"
Thunder boomed and Zeus seemed to accept this as proof of their loyalty enough
All the gods felt a bit relief of this too considering their children was in their hands
Percy thought, Ah hell, we're going back to the Camp. Things are in chaos and we still haven't grilled Thalia and Nico on what happened to them. No word form B or the others either. This is just wonderful.
AN:
So there you go guys :)
Thanks for the reviews. I really appreciate them ^_^