The weather in the Mansion of Night was... pretty calm, actually. While it was in the sky itself, no major storms could penetrate Night's realms, making the place immune to all sorts of disasters that could ruin the perfectly constructed midnight-colored columns and stones that made up the mansion.
What wasn't calm, however, was Night itself. For a couple of weeks now, she had been feeling... weird. Very weird. Inside her, there have been these... What could she call them? Movements? Random outbursts of pain? She did not know. And not knowing made her nervous. Her mind went back to what the creator had said to her and all her siblings about how they could create more gods if they made... well, you know. It had been as uncomfortable as it could get, especially since they were just freshly created when told that, their innocence having been robbed from a very early age. But again, Chaos had been clear on everything, not just this matter.
So... maybe it was that? She had heard how Gaia's pregnancies had gone, with those titans being born in a few weeks after... by Chaos, she did not know any of those terms. She needed to be more mindful in these situations.
Choosing to – hopefully - settle this issue, Nyx shadow-traveled away from the mansion, landing on the Earth itself. Gaia did not have a residence, being the entire Earth and all, but she preferred to stick around these lands around the sea they were all calling the 'Mediterranean'. Perhaps because of the nice weather, perhaps because of the heavy prophetic influences, this place seemed to have... All protogenoi were attracted here.
"Gaia!" Nyx called, and for a moment there wasn't an answer. That was until, a few meters from Nyx, the grass started to wrap itself upwards, forming the shape of a beautiful woman, with curly black hair and striking green eyes that betrayed some annoyance. Nyx almost felt herself regretting coming here. The last thing she needed to deal with was an angry Gaia.
"Sister. It has been a long time since you have visited me." Gaia said in her melodic voice.
"I know, I apologize," Nyx answered, stepping closer. "I've been too charmed by my new home recently."
Gaia raised an eyebrow. "Not by Erebus as well?"
Night felt her face heating up slightly. "Maybe. That's why I've come, actually. But first, how are you doing?" She said, looking directly at the prominent curvature in her sister's dress.
"I have been fine, thankfully. Ouranos has been at least a little bit more understanding recently." Gaia's green eyes sparkled dangerously. "And I believe this little kicker here is coming to this world very soon." She said rubbing her stomach.
"Well..." The awkwardness remained in Nyx's expression. "I believe I am in the same predicament as you are."
Gaia blinked. "You... you're pregnant?"
"I don't know, okay?" Nyx quickly scrambled a retort. "I've been feeling these weird pains and movements-"
"There, you're pregnant." Gaia interrupted. "Did you and Erebus have sex recently?"
"I don't find myself asking for your sexual life with Ouranos, do I?" Nyx answered face goldened.
"But you came to me for help." The Earth Mother answered with a smirk. "So? That's the most crucial information to truly know."
"Yes," Nyx said with gritted teeth. "We had. But I can't be a mother! Really, I'm not prepared for this. You're the motherly figure of well... everyone. Not me."
"Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't you have a child already?" Gaia questioned, folding her arms.
"Akhlys doesn't count. She is not my daughter. Especially because I don't believe I could have a child with Chaos."
"Whatever makes you sleep at night, sister." Gaia chuckled. "Tell Erebus I send my regards. I must go now. But I hope to see your child soon as well."
"You're much more excited than I am, Gaia. Goodbye." Dissolving into a shadow back to the mansion, Nyx felt lost. The thought of a child inside her womb made her terrified. She could not be a mother. She specifically chose to stay on par with the Titans in terms of age because she did not wish to feel old, no matter how childish that thought seemed. If it wasn't for the dark look, she could pass as Gaia's daughter. This was just bizarre.
Really, what would happen to this child? Would it be a titan? Would she give birth to another primordial? Would the child have domains? So many questions and the answers seemed so distant...
"Nyx? A voice erupted from another room of the mansion, and Night quickly tried to recompose herself, but she still felt distressed as Erebus appeared, wearing his usual dark attire. "Where have you been? I arrived earlier but you were not here."
Nyx took a deep breath, looking straight into the dark eyes of the god she fell in love with. "I must tell you something."
The primordial of darkness seemed to be taken aback by that. "Uh... sure. What is it, Star?"
"I..." She hesitated, trying to find the strength to let the information out. "I'm pregnant, Erebus."
...
"Why would you bring her here?" Nyx furiously questioned a cornered Lyssa, who looked at Erebus for support, but Darkness's gaze was even more hardened than that of Night.
"I thought it could work. Perhaps combatting madness with madness-"
"I'm not crazy, you absolute moron!" Eris yelled, brandishing a knife very similar to the one Nyx used to threaten Nike yesterday. Quite easily, both primordials held the goddesses with just a wave of their hands.
"I think we're all just crazy," Erebus said, taking pleasure in holding an outraged Lyssa.
"BE QUIET." Nyx bellowed with an echoed voice, startling all of them. "All of you. This is not what we agreed to do. You were supposed to heal Victory's mind, not break it even more by adding chaos into the mix."
"It's worth a try," Erebus answered. At her state, even the way his hair fell into his face, covering his right eye, annoyed Nyx "Nothing conventional seems to help on helping Nike's mental state."
Night let go of Eris, who scoffed. "You know, I was doing perfectly fine before I had to deal with this shit. Hecate at least let us do stuff."
"I'm starting to understand the mortal mothers who punish their children with beatings," Nyx commented threateningly, satisfied to see Eris shrinking down. "While we don't know if Nike can even be healed if the rift persists, or if she is the key to bringing the Romans and Greeks together like Juno said. But we need to try better methods than torture."
"I wasn't torturing her!" Lyssa protested. "I only tried to be persuasive. I tried to give counsel to her, but she wouldn't stop shifting into Victoria and start throwing slurs around. She barely seems to be rational."
Erebus facepalmed. "This is ridiculous. If I'm needed, call me. I need some air."
"Good riddance," Nyx said under her breath, and she was sure her husband heard it as he exited the stables, but ultimately, he paid no mind. Or if he did, he chose not to answer.
"I didn't know you were together again," Eris said, her tone signaling her desire to provoke her mother.
"You know I'm not with him," Nyx answered shortly. "I will let you two deal with Nike, but I will be back soon. I expect results soon, not excuses. Do not destroy the ship or anything like it. Do you understand?"
"Yes, mother." The two sisters said in unison like they tended to do sometimes. Old habits never seemed to change.
"If you excuse me," Nyx said, exiting the stables where only the goddess of victory was kept. While she did not mind walking, floating was at least a little bit comforting, and – perhaps only in a psychological sense – made her feel more connected with her divinity. But Nyx soon found out the hard way that even while floating, you could bump into someone.
"Woah!" Annabeth exclaimed as she was thrown back, while Nyx herself barely flinched in the air.
"Miss Chase. I'm sorry." Nyx apologized, staring at the demigoddess.
"It's okay," Annabeth said. "I was actually searching for you."
Night kept her neutral face. "I'd say it took you a little bit too long, even."
"I didn't want to bother you." Annabeth clarified. "I heard your argument with your children."
"You need not to worry," Nyx said with a sigh. "While they are volatile, they dare not to oppose me, nor they will threaten anyone in this ship."
"That's not really the issue," Annabeth stated. "I was worried more about you - I mean, about how you were, I didn't want to bother you if you were angered."
For a few moments, Nyx stared at the daughter of Athena, trying to read her emotions. She descended to the ground, still staring at the demigoddess.
"Walk with me, Annabeth." Nyx said, and the teen was quick to acquiesce.
"I imagine you have some questions." Night stated.
Annabeth nodded. "I bought the story of you wanting to help us because of... the Earth Mother. But... giving me your blessing in a mundane situation when compared with other things we all had to endure during this quest?"
"I've said it before, you and your boyfriend have gotten my attention. I doubted you could win against Mimas under those circumstances."
"Piper seemed like she could have dealt with it much better than I could," Annabeth affirmed. "Why not give her the blessing? I know it was me and Percy who survived Tartarus, but we are all, I guess you could say special in our own ways. Everyone here is strong, Lady Nyx. Personally, my real strength is up here," She pointed to her head. "All of the others have flashy powers and abilities. I can only rely on my skills and intelligence to survive."
Nyx chuckled. "Why, yes, and that makes you the most formidable of the seven if you think about it. Being able to match beings that can cause natural disasters on a continental scale using only your mind... that is admirable. Wouldn't this be enough reason to find you worthy of my blessing?"
"That would be, but you were, or still are, coincidentally planning to favor the two people of the quest who have the most grievances with the Olympians." The tone surprised Nyx, fully turning to face Annabeth, whose face didn't have a single trace of fear.
"I did not have any way of knowing before." Night tried to defend herself.
"But now I think it's pretty obvious." Annabeth angrily answered. "You saw my conversation with Hera. It only goes downhill from there. Percy is enemy number one of half the Olympian council. Is your plan grooming us against the gods or what? I- we are tired of manipulation."
In another life, perhaps Nyx would have blasted Annabeth to pieces for insolence, but she had to be better than this. Things wouldn't be sorted out by destroying everyone around her.
"I do not seek to manipulate you," Nyx said, telling Annabeth the truth. Or at least the truth she believed. "I don't seek conquest, I told you this already. I have been attacked by Tartarus, and I am simply responding in kind."
"Then why bless me like it's nothing?" Annabeth questioned just as they reached an opening in the ship, revealing the mountainous landscape below the flying figure of the Argo II. "If not to everyone, then no one should get it."
Nyx let out a deep sigh, rubbing her eyes tiredly. "I understand your concerns. The type of tyrant you had to deal with it." She paused, towering over the teen demigod, and yet not in a threatening way. "I assume the Earth Mother has urged you or Percy to join her at some point."
"Yeah," Annabeth confirmed.
"Unsurprising." Night tried to do her best motherly look, trying to calm the demigoddess down. "I've told you; I see much of the old me within yourself. I don't plan on dominating the world after the war if we win, but I won't go back to my slumber again. I cannot tell what will happen after, I am most certainly not an oracle," Nyx paused. "But I will most certainly be there for you, and every other demigod in this ship. It's the least I can do to make your lives at least a little bit simpler.
"I guess some help wouldn't be terrible," Annabeth admitted. "I mean, being a demigod is an uphill battle. Sometimes you can survive the world ending but die to a random monster the next day."
"I cannot say I understand, but I sympathize." Nyx put one hand on Annabeth's shoulder. "I cannot say for certain how I will be able to help, but... like you mortals say, we can figure it out."
"I appreciate that, Lady Nyx. But that doesn't fully answer what I asked you."
"Well..." Night looked downwards, into the hills and mountains below. "What if I simply say I seem to favor you thanks to relatability?"
Annabeth crossed her arms. "Not too satisfying. You will forgive me if I ever take what you say with a grain of salt."
"Oh, you should do this all the time. I am an immortal after all." Nyx smiled, before coming to realize something. "Annabeth, look down."
The daughter of Athena obeyed without question, looking downwards. "What is it? I just see mountains."
Is Night going crazy now? A voice spoke inside Nyx's head. Squinting her eyes further, she noticed the silhouette of a woman in the mountains, its figure following the Argo II from below like it was part of the ship. The woman's body was comprised of the terrain itself, and its eyes were closed.
"It's her," Nyx growled. "She is in my head."
Annabeth widened her eyes. "I... Are we in danger – I mean, should we do something?"
Nyx shook her head. "This ship is protected by me. And we are not currently in Gaia's domain." Now that her sister was actively talking to her, avoiding uttering her name was pointless.
Oh, yes, you don't need to avoid saying the name of your beloved sister. How are things, Nyx?
"They would be better if I hadn't been dragged from Tartarus because of your actions."
My actions? Gaia asked. As much as I desire it, I do not control Tartarus. What he does is his responsibility, and trust me, I am not happy with his actions. Killing four of my children, even if two of them were helping the demigods, felt like a personal attack.
"That doesn't concern me," Nyx said. "Your petty squabbles are a delight to watch."
I don't get how can you just support the Olympians.
"I am not supporting the Olympians. Our time is past, Gaia. You must realize that and stop trying to wage war like this. Kronos failed because he was too shortsighted to see the reality."
That's where you are wrong. This world is infected, wicked, corrupt, and perverse. All happening under the Olympians. I will cleanse it. Bring it to how it was before them. Don't you miss the old times? The simpler times, where we would all be together, you with Erebus, my children playing with your children... Don't you miss that, sister?
It took Nyx a moment to answer that. "Perhaps. But just because I miss it doesn't mean I want to go back to it. Things won't ever go back to how they were. Tartarus is plotting against you just as much as you are plotting against the gods. More war will follow."
And that's why I need your help. We can bring Tartarus down. Create a new world for us. You can rule the lands below. If you truly do not love Erebus anymore, we kill him as well. You may rule Darkness, the Underworld, and Tartarus. I'm willing to give you all this power, because I am your family, Nyx. I do not hate you. Have you forgotten this?
"Is this what you do?" Nyx asked, not being able to prevent her voice from slightly cracking. "Promise the world to those you want to manipulate, and when they reject, slaughter them? It pains me to see what happened to you."
Nyx felt Gaia's expression contorting into anger. I will no longer sit back and let others make the decisions, Nyx. I'm giving you a chance. It doesn't matter that I searched for allies similarly in the past. There are others who wish that you would make a sensible decision. Nyx found herself frozen at those words. It is a shame that they will be disappointed.
"What... what are you talking about, Gaia?" Nyx inquired, clenching her fists.
Perhaps our next meeting will be more fruitful, sister. Day and Light send their regards. Farewell.
As soon as the voice of Gaia inside her head ceased to speak, the figure of the woman in the mountains disappeared. Nyx found her hands to be trembling in anger.
Day. And Light. No, no, this couldn't be. This had to be Gaia manipulating her with her twisted words. Her children wouldn't do this, especially if they knew they would be opposing their mother-
"Lady Nyx?" A distant voice asked for her. Focusing, she discovered that it had originated from Annabeth, who was looking at her with concern and fear.
"What... what happened? What did she tell you?"
Night tried to compose herself. "Things that I need some time to fully comprehend. Annabeth, can you do me a favor?"
"Of course," Annabeth said. "What is it?"
"Gather everyone. If you are afraid of dealing with Eris and Lyssa, just tell Erebus to order them. I will be back in a few minutes. I... I just need some minutes to think on my own."
"O-okay." The daughter of Athena answered, perhaps noticing how distraught Nyx was right now. But she wouldn't have the opportunity to ask anything for now, since Night fell right into a shadow, disappearing from the Argo II.