I'm not all too satisfied with this chapter because it's a lot of dialogue. Do know that I took some creative vision in regards to Greek mythology, but you already knew that.
She is different.
This was the first thought when she had looked at her firstborn child. Her precious daughter, her flesh, which she had carried for weeks in her womb, came out as a being of light. Not as a being of darkness like her father and her mother, but as a goddess that emanated light from her. Of course, she had created consciousness the moment she stepped into the world, but Nyx still saw her as a baby.
Did she think motherly instincts would kick in the moment she set her gaze on her daughter? No. But when it happened, it was shocking. She knew at that moment that she would do anything to protect her child. Even if she was different, contradicting what Nyx even was, she had learned to love Day unconditionally for a time. That was until Day decided to go away. Bitterness had grown. Light followed soon. In the end, she was left with her dark children. The children that mostly only wanted to bicker and prove that they were worthy to their mother. But no one was to Nyx. Least of all, the husband she loved once.
Now, Night felt like she was at her lowest, finding herself in a valley she didn't recognize. She just thought of the first place possible to get away from the ship, to get away from her children, from Erebus, from Gaia. Was being immortal enough to justify this excruciating feeling of pain that was clenching her heart like a merciless fist? Why? Why had she been fated to this?
The betrayal felt worse because in the end, Nyx knew they had reasons. That she had treated them like vermin, being as cruel as Gaia had been. Who was she kidding? They left because she made them unwelcome. Moving the Mansion to Tartarus, away from the skies where her enlightened children thrived, only thinking about the onyx paradises below the Earth that fueled her domain.
Even Gaia, being the monster that she was, in the end, worried about their children, Be it the Titans or the giants. The same could not be said for Nyx in the past.
But were her acts enough to make her children turn to her sister of all people, though? It seemed more likely that they would join Kronos instead. At least the Titan Lord presented an alternative that wasn't terraforming the planet. Why? The question lingered in Nyx's mind as she descended into the ground. Before, she was skeptical of touching the earth, but now she let her naked feet touch the grass, not caring if Gaia could do something to her. She knelt, trying to find some strength from within. But what could she do?
This was her biggest failure yet.
Now, to achieve the victory she strived for, Mother Night would have to confront perhaps the only ones she doubted she could destroy.
Not in the sense of power, of course. But if she was willing to bring down her own flesh and ichor.
"Hemera." Nyx quietly called. Of course, she would resort to calling Day. The child she most related to. Her opposite, but also the one she had loved the most.
There wasn't a response.
"HEMERA!" Night bellowed with all she could, her voice echoing around the valley. Again, what followed was simply the chirping of birds, and the breeze that made Night's long raven hair graciously fly.
She just couldn't stand this anymore. She didn't know how much time had passed, but it couldn't have been more than a few minutes since she had her conversation with Gaia. Nyx felt weak. Nothing she was able to do could counter this inner turmoil that plagued her heart.
If she just had been a better mother... Or at least acceptable enough to not be betrayed.
Marching until reaching a nearby tree, Nyx dropped into its shadow, the image of the Argo II set as her destination. Soon, her feet touched the creaking wood of the ship. There was no one in sight at the deck, which most likely meant that Annabeth had fulfilled her promise to gather all to a... meeting, for the lack of a better term. Not even bothering to once again rise from the floor and glide downwards, Night simply walked, a sore taste in her mouth, along with anger and guilt poisoning her heart.
The round table was surprisingly quiet. It had been expanded so they all could sit down, and ten out of the eleven chairs were occupied. All eyes were set on her, and the expressions varied a lot between the looks she was receiving. From her daughters and most demigods, there was curiosity, for Erebus there was... she didn't even want to know, and for Annabeth, well, the daughter of Athena was noticeably concerned. She sat down, with Eris on her right and Jason on her left.
"Took you long enough." Erebus broke the tense silence. "What's the matter?"
Nyx took a deep breath, glancing periodically from the surface of the table and her husband's eyes. "The Earth Mother has recently spoken with me."
Almost all of them, particularly the demigods, shifted in their seats, demonstrating their worry. Of course, Annabeth wasn't shocked but still seemed very worried.
"And what was it, Lady Nyx? Did she reveal anything useful?" Piper questioned.
"I have received news, but I am afraid they aren't the most ideal." Nyx paused, unable to not stare directly into the pitch-black irises of Erebus. "She has all but confirmed that... two of my children have turned against me. Day and Light."
"What?" Erebus exclaimed, outraged. For the first time since their reunion, he truly looked like the all-powerful immortal he was supposed to be. His eyes had flames in them, and his mere presence was overwhelming, even to Nyx. She hated this feeling; it was a sensation she associated with the worst moments of her life. "She must be bluffing. There is no way."
"I'm sorry to interrupt," Leo interjected awkwardly. "But who are these Day and Light people? Should we be worried?"
Night turned towards the son of Hephaestus, who didn't shrink at her gaze. That boy was a very wild card amid the Seven. Willing to go shooting first, then asking questions second. Nyx appreciated that, to a certain extent. "I apologize for refraining from using her names. Day and Light are, respectively, Hemera and Aether." Even saying their names left a distaste on her tongue. "They are opposites in domains to Erebus and me, and above all else, are primordial gods as well."
"More powerful than even the Olympians. Or the Titans." Jason stated.
Nyx kept her face neutral. "That depends. Primordial gods aren't necessarily more powerful than other deities. What gives us an edge is that we are what we represent." Nyx pointed to Erebus. "We aren't simply the gods of our domains. We are them."
"And even then, we used to be much more powerful. But since we don't rule anymore, we are not at our peak." Erebus added. That was true. The power now was mostly concentrated in the hands of the Olympians. Not that it made them useless, just that the other side could possibly match them – with a little bit of effort.
"It is all very complicated, but my daughter-" Night paused. "She was never seen as a threat to the Olympians, even when among them at certain points. Hemera was never someone who would seek war, nor did she wish to burden herself with power. She was content with being on the sidelines. Aether wasn't too different."
"Makes you wonder why the hell they would join Gaia," Eris said, completely neglecting the rule of not mentioning the Earth goddess. "I wouldn't be surprised if half of the family joined with that crazie. But the wonder-kids?"
"That's what I'm trying to figure out," Erebus growled from his seat. Clearly, Frank and Annabeth to his side were doing everything to get as far as possible from the raging primordial. "Why?" He looked straight at Nyx, causing the lump in her throat to grow even more significant. "What could have happened that made them not only neglect us but join her?"
You have no right to decide what happens inside these walls, insolent girl! Who do you think you are?
In case you have forgotten, I am a fucking person, not your lapdog for you to order around as you please!
Go on, then! Go join those petulant gods! Mix with that breed of immortal, if you want so much to drift away from your own family!
Perhaps I will! Then what? Will you cast me down as you tried to do with Father?
You don't know what he did. Don't you try to defend him!
All I was able to see was you expelling him. And now, doing the same to me. But fine, Mother, I will be gone. I would much rather not stay in this hellhole for much longer.
Then be gone! You are not welcome here anymore, ungrateful child!
"I cannot tell for certain." Nyx lied. It was her only resort for now. "But calm down. Your presence is becoming too much for the demigods if you are too dense to realize that."
And it was true. All the half-bloods at the table were clearly uncomfortable at best, the darkness coming out of Erebus almost compressing them. Her husband took a deep breath, and the dark energy retreated, almost lifting a weight from Nyx's shoulders. She could only imagine how the demigods were feeling.
"I can understand Aether." Darkness spat, not even bothering to apologize. "But Hemera?"
"That's the one-million-dollar question!" Eris hit the table with the palm of her hand, startling Percy. "Aether has nothing inside that head of his. But Hem was supposed to be the well-behaved child."
"And now she joins with the genocidal maniac," Lyssa added.
"I don't understand it either!" Nyx raised her voice. "But I don't wish to linger on this no more. We need to focus on what's important now."
"Reaching Delos." Annabeth laid out. "I don't expect this calm to continue. Would she just let us get all the ingredients?"
"I'd say no," Jason said with a grimace. While his wound didn't pose any dangers to life anymore, it didn't seem like it was getting any better, which was concerning. The son of Jupiter was one of the most powerful demigods aboard, and Nyx certainly couldn't do all the fighting. After all, the prophecy did say the world would fall to either fire or storm. And the storm could be either Jason or Percy. "Even if we are protected, it seems unlikely that nothing at all will happen until we reach Athens."
Erebus leaned forward. "That's why you must be prepared and remain alert. If the Earth Mother speaks the truth, things are about to get very complicated."
"What are we even trying to do here?" Eris inquired. As always, the goddess of discord looked even more insane and wild than the actual goddess of madness, who was, in turn, awfully quiet, something that wasn't lost on Nyx. "Tell me you bunch came up with a plan."
From his pocket, Leo pulled a piece of paper and stretched it over the table, revealing it to be a map of Greece that seemed to highlight exactly where they were, and that being halfway to Delos from Sparta. Multiple other points were also highlighted on the map, such as Delphi, the cities they already visited, and finally, Athens.
"I've been working on this thing recently. Might help, might not," The son of Hephaestus explained. "We are working to gather the Physician's Cure, because Nike told us that one of us," He pointed to himself and then to Percy, Hazel, and finally Frank. "Would have to die to win. We gathered some stuff from these cities." Leo pointed to Pylos and Sparta on the map. "And now we're trying to get to Delos to get another thing there."
"The curse of Delos," Piper added. "And we are also hoping that Apollo and Artemis might be able to help us. Since apparently Delphi isn't under his control anymore?" The daughter of Aphrodite looked at Annabeth with doubt.
"That was what those horrible spirits in Ithaca told us." The architect said. "And after we gather everything, we're going to Athens to finish this." She said with resolve.
Eris nodded, with her face blank. "Alright. You guys really want to die."
"Why don't you go mess with Nike a bit, Eris?" Erebus suggested, and to this, Nyx couldn't even argue. The goddess of strife narrowed her eyes at her father.
"Yeah, I will be going." She got up from the table and glanced over to Lyssa. "You coming?"
"Mhm." Lyssa hummed, and both goddesses shadow-traveled away. Nyx stared at the chair previously occupied by the goddess of madness, pondering to herself if – again – there was something Lyssa was hiding.
"I assume all has been discussed then," Erebus said, seemingly eager to get out of the table. Once more, Nyx couldn't complain, she shared the same feelings.
"Indeed." Night answered, glancing back and forth through the demigods. "Be wary of attacks. It is unlikely that this journey will get any easier before we reach Athens."
It was quite hard for Leo to try sneaking on the ship at five in the morning, but he didn't have any other options, considering the amount of surveillance currently happening in the ship, which was insane to think about considering Coach Hedge was now gone. While Buford had briefly been a bit of a nuisance – especially on breakfasts – it was the four gods that really spooked Leo.
Nyx and Erebus – they seemed reasonable enough, despite the absurd levels of power and the whole suffocating him thing. It wasn't like he trusted them, probably no one in the Argo II did, but they were frankly very sane when compared to other immortals, which brought up the subject of Eris and Lyssa. The two haven't done much, thanks to the threat of Nyx hovering over them, but they seemed too crazy, even by godly standards, and that was an issue if Leo got caught doing what he wanted to do. Which was having a conversation with Nike.
You see, he already had talked to the goddess of victory, and for an insane crazie who didn't even know who she really was, Nike had proved to be a wonderful therapist. Specifically, when talking about the prospect of victory and the future. Their first conversation had lasted a few seconds when Leo had come to inspect the stables – what? It was his ship! Everything needed to be in order. And her brief words had been living rent-free inside Leo's head since then. And that was why he now entering the stables again, the heat from Nike's golden plumage becoming more noticeable as he got closer.
"Who enters?" A feminine voice spoke far ahead. Leo did not answer, instead walking until he found the stable where Victory was lying alone, her eyes madly trying to notice who was now in front of her. She was still enveloped by the golden net, now expanded enough so she could at least stay comfortable. As comfortable as you could get in that state, after all. Her wings, however still were very compressed together.
"You." Her reaction hadn't been as heated as before – after all, they didn't exactly get along at Olympia, at all. But she seemed calm enough now. Perhaps the two goddesses had an effect on Nike.
"Hi." Leo greeted, entering the stable, where a hurricane seemed to have passed. All was messy, out of place, and generally trashed. Leo wasn't really an organized person, but even this hurt his soul. "I've come to talk."
Nike chuckled. "So I really did mess with-" Her entire being splintered, the figure of a short-haired woman with purple clothing – Victoria – appeared on top of the long-haired figure of Nike, who had been dressing a white dress, before going back to how it was. "-your head. Have you come to scream at me? Say that I'm wrong, that all can be saved?"
Leo swallowed. "No." He sat down in front of Nike, who seemed taken aback. "I wanted to know if I should really do this."
"I've told you already. It is either you, the spawn of Pluto, the son of Mars, or Jackson." Nike stated. "At least one of you shall perish to achieve victory. And there are things not even the cure can achieve"
"To destroy a goddess like G... the Earth Mother," Leo said. "While also not letting anyone else be close by... Would there be any of me left?"
Nike shook her head. "Unless you somehow acquire a weapon like the scythe of Kronos, capable of killing a primordial, only very powerful magic or attacks could take her down. No mortal could even dream of surviving it."
Leo flinched. "I thought of something. The prophecy says that the world must end by storm or fire. I'm one of the only kids of Hephaestus who can manipulate fire." To further prove his point, Leo summoned a spark on his finger. "And I am immune to it. But I've been thinking... taking Gaia away from the land, and then blowing her up, summoning everything I can. But even if I am immune..."
"It would probably not be enough to kill her." A voice – a male voice, said out of nowhere, startling both Leo and Nike. Out of the shadows, the dark figure of Erebus appeared. "You would need something to help you."
Leo could only blink. "How long have you been there?"
Erebus shrugged. "Enough. I sometimes keep tabs on her." Nike stared, seemingly offended, but Erebus kept "And I couldn't not notice you coming here. It shocks me that Night isn't also here. Much more interesting things to worry about..." A tone of suspicion could be found in Darkness's voice. Leo didn't know what that was about, so he tried to return to the previous subject.
"And what could kill the Earth Mother, Lord Erebus?" Leo tried to be respectful.
The primordial seemed thoughtful for a moment. "A weapon would do it nicely, like she said. But it seems very unlikely you get one before doomsday."
"Yeah." Leo pursed his lips. "Then what?"
The primordial leaned on the wall of the stable. "Well, if you're really willing to die for the greater cause, I don't know why you're so worried."
"It's a bit complicated." The son of Hephaestus said, diverting his gaze from Erebus to an awfully quiet Nike.
"Really? How so?" Darkness questioned, and Leo answered with a sigh.
"I managed to get to Ogygia by accident." He started.
"And Calypso managed to steal your heart?" Erebus asked, almost playfully, but not quite mocking.
Leo chuckled. "Kind of. But I wasn't meant to go there. Percy did, a few years back. He managed to make Calypso like him. And he asked the gods to take her away from the island. But they didn't. And I promised her I would return to rescue her. But how can I do that if my body will be blown up to pieces while fighting Gaia?"
Erebus grimaced slightly at the sound of the Earth primordial's name, and Leo almost felt afraid, but Darkness didn't seem like he would vaporize him for not being careful.
"Sometimes, tasks that we want to do won't fall to us. If you really want to save the witch, and you end up dying, you can always use the 'he would have wanted this' card. It's effective enough that people will probably do it."
Once again, Leo couldn't help but laugh at the god's honesty. "That sounds so depressing. But at the same time, seems the best way if..." He didn't finish his sentence, but the implications were very present.
"I cannot say I quite understand death," Erebus admitted. "Even if I am the father of it. I don't know how it feels to be aware that someday, somehow, you will no longer be around. But, if I had to give you some advice, it would be to not fear it when it comes, and if it comes."
"It will." Nike quietly said, which reminded Leo that the goddess was still there. "If not him, then one of the other three. At least."
"So be it." Erebus's tone hardened. "But just don't show fear in front of it. Thanatos isn't evil, but he doesn't show mercy for the weak. And to be part of this quest, you are most certainly not a weak one, Leo."
Leo turned to face the onyx irises of the god of Darkness. Even if he at first glance looked only a few years older than Percy, Jason – and now Frank – more than ever he truly looked like what Leo imagined a god would be. Not simply power, but wisdom as well. A being that probably deserved to be worshipped.
"Thanks. I suppose I'm not." Leo once more sighed. "I just hoped it didn't have to be this way."
"Fate is cruel," Erebus stated. "But mortals, in the end, live to die. At least knowing you died for the good of others... is that satisfying enough?" The question seemed genuine.
"More than dying for nothing," Leo said. "But I just wish things would work out."
"Do not be too enchanted by the sorceress." Erebus abruptly changed the subject. "Calypso isn't as young as she looks, and while she is not Medea, I would still be wary. Did she even show any signs of growing attached to you?"
Leo laughed. "Nah. She just hated me, then started to tolerate me because Gaia showed up in the sand telling her to kill me. Then she didn't. But she is nice. I can't say I expect her to suddenly start liking me - if I even survive, that is."
Erebus stared for a moment. "Don't think that all need the remedy of love. Sometimes, living without a romance is possible. Even if it seems difficult. I would say you're young, but you are a half-blood. So..."
"Doesn't even account too much." Was all that the demigod could reply as he felt the magic of Hypnos crashing down on him. Guess it was deserved, after staying awake all night to talk to Nike, only to get caught anyway and be left with even more doubts in his head. Not that it was Erebus's fault. It was probably Gaia's though. The only thing the son of Hephaestus strived for now was a nice night - or, considering the fact it was probably already dawn, a day of sleep.
However, far away in the distance, thunder was heard. Followed by the entire ship shaking heavily as the waters beneath it seemingly got incredibly turbulent.
What could it be now?
Yes, Leo POV. I tried to explore the sacrifice talk he had with Nike, but this time, Erebus is here to bring the lawful neutral energy, I think. You can be the judge to that. I stg, I keep imagining how this fic will play out in the future instead of writing the path to get there. It's annoying but we are getting there. See ya next time.
