Chapter 18


14th of July
Halfblood Camp

The Eponymous Archon, Luke Castellan, observed with all the campers as Annabeth meticulously applied the juice of three golden apples to the poisoned tree. Beside him stood Nico and Bianca, newcomers who had arrived just the day before. Luke's emotions were a tangled mix of uncertainty – unsure whether to be angry as a traitor or pleased as Thalia's friend that they hadn't failed their quests.

Everyone stopped talking as the golden apple juice made contact with the trees. Everyone watched, breaths held, but the outcome was beyond anyone's wildest expectations. Instead of the expected healing, the trees started to transform, gradually fading away to take on the form of a human girl.

"What?", said Clarisse in surprise, as the protective magic dome of the camp disappeared instead of going back to his original strength.

Charles Beckendorf shrugged happily : at least they would be able to test the Wall.

Thalia's tree had healed…back into Thalia. The daughter of Zeus, emerged from the dissipating remnants of the once-poisoned tree. She stirred.

"Uh?"

As her awareness returned, the expression on her face shifted from confusion to recognition. Caught in the vulnerability of rebirth, Thalia found herself standing naked amidst the campers.

"Th..Th…Thalia?", said Luke, approaching the form of his oldest friend. Tears rolled down his cheeks.

In a gesture both protective and caring, Luke approached, removing his cloak and gently draping it over her shoulders. He enveloped her in a hug, a silent acknowledgment of the journey they had all undertaken.

Luke spoke softly, "Thalia, is it really you?"

Thalia nodded, her voice carrying the weight of rebirth, "Luke? Why are you…so old? "

Annabeth joined Luke in hugging their long lost friend.

And as if this scene was not chaotic enough, a floating skull of smoke materialized before Nico and Bianca, the newest campers, its eerie presence sending shivers down their spines.

"Uh…?"

And Pollux jovially attracted all the camper's attention, by screaming :

"All Hail Thalia, daughter of Zeus ! And all Hail Nico and Bianca, children of Hades".


14th of July
Olympus

"I don't care if Dionysos frolicked in your garden!" Zeus thundered angrily at Hera. It was clear; he did not embody kingship right now but pursued his own interests.

The rare emergency meeting gathered all Olympians, including Hades. The celestial room, adorned with divine splendor, bore witness to the tumultuous clash of godly tempers.

Zeus, the force of the skies, roared, "Hades, you dared break your promises! Two children—"

His brother, unyielding, shot back, "I had them before the Prophecy! And you can talk, with Thalia! If you smite them 'because they are a threat,' you will have to kill your own daughter!"

The shouting match intensified, each god fervently defending their demigod progeny. Poseidon joined the verbal sparring. The divine chamber reverberated with the force of their arguments. Meanwhile, Hera, attempting to restore order, struggled to make herself heard over the divine cacophony.

Amidst the chaos, Ares and Dionysos reveled in the discord. Dionysos, lounging on his throne, indulged in coke, his pleasure heightened by the divine drama unfolding before him.

The clamor continued until Athena, goddess of wisdom, succeeded, clearing her throat to cut through the shouting match. With a commanding presence, she calmly addressed the assembly. Dionysos noted with interest that some of the gods straightened themselves when she talked. Interesting…

"Uncles, Fathers" Athena declared. "Please, we must not forget our responsibilities and other important matters, such as the disappearance of Eris."

Zeus did not care, his voice thundering, "I don't care about Eris! Hades is having demigods!"


22nd of July 2007
Playboy Mansion

Prometheus, the King of Spades, proudly presented his latest creation to Silenus. The ancient companion of Satyr, looked at the mysterious invention with curiosity.

"What's this marvel, Prometheus?" Silenus asked, a twinkle of excitement in his eyes.

"It's time for nature to stand up against those who exploit it recklessly. This elixir will be the forest's own defender, delivering a lesson to those who harm it!"

Silenus grinned, his enthusiasm growing. "Aggressive trees and lively fauna? Now, that sounds like a thrilling adventure!"

"Absolutely certain! The Golden Fleece has infused this elixir with unparalleled potency. We just need to dilute it and release it into the forest grounds. The flora will thrive, and the fauna will become more spirited. Anyone threatening the forest will find themselves facing an ecosystem ready to defend itself," Prometheus explained with confidence.

Silenus, fully on board with the idea, nodded vigorously. "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's unleash this elixir and let nature reclaim its rightful power. I can't wait to see the forest fighting back!"

Prometheus, encouraged by Silenus's enthusiasm, nodded in agreement. "To the primal forests, then! Nature is about to show its strength".


28th of July 2007
Texas

Lucifer Morningstar was having fun. A lot of fun, he thought as he reveled in the heart of the Dionysia festival, the grandest celebration in the US. Tonight, he chose not to hide in the shadows, embracing the lively festivities with a sly smile. It was one of the most fun he had since coming to the US. Normally, he stayed in his little nightclub, with his loyal Mazikeen - Hell, nobody knew he hide there. Neither the Greeks nor the devils. Even his own son, Rizevim, did not know where he was - and the newest Satans, of course, had no idea he was still alive. They thought him sealed, or something. Lmao.

A wide grin played on Lucifer's face as he watched Chloe dance, the infectious rhythm of the festival captivating her in a joyous trance. On Chloe's shoulders, Trixie giggled with innocence, adding to the enchantment. In the background, Mazikeen, ever-vigilant, was kissing one of the festival girl.

Lucifer could feel the celestial essence intertwining with mortal merriment. The festival's magic transcended eras, and Lucifer found himself unexpectedly drawn to the celebration's allure. He did not know personally Dionysos, but he had to admit, the little god had flair.

Over the din of the crowd, Lucifer gestured towards the concert stage where a guy named Orpheus, a modern-day maestro - not so modern, knew Lucifer -, channeled the ancient spirit of music.

"Now that's something even I can appreciate. What do you think, Mazikeen? The Dionysia's magic is palpable tonight, wouldn't you agree…"

Lucifer, renowned for his impeccable taste, couldn't help but appreciate the celestial notes resonating with the essence of The Dionysian celebration. The air was filled with laughter, the beats of the music, and the infectious energy of the celebration. He raised a glass in a spirited toast to the ephemeral magic of The Dionysia, reveling in the spectacle of humanity's pleasure. Seeing Chloe dance made him happy. Aaaah, living like a mortal! Was that…love?

Lucifer's grin widened, as he felt someone approaching. Ah, the man of the night! He felt something brushing him, and he let it slide. A screening device ?

He could see the screen floating in front of him, informing the newcomer of who he was.

Lucifer Morningstar
Devilishly Beautiful
Lvl 12 654/15 000

"Hey, handsome, wanna fuck?", asked the god of wine.

Lucifer chuckled at the audacious proposition from the god of wine. The little deity certainly had guts, making such an offer while fully aware of Lucifer's identity and the vast power difference between them.

"Well, aren't you bold?" Lucifer responded with a raised eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes. "But I'm afraid, my dear Dionysos, that even divine charm has its limits."

The god of wine grinned, undeterred by Lucifer's playful rejection. "You never know until you try, Morningstar."

Lucifer's laughter echoed through the divine realm as he clinked his glass with Bacchus. "True enough, my friend, true enough. But I'm afraid I'm trying my hand at monogamy. So, tonight, let's stick to reveling in the mortal festivities, shall we?"

Dionysos nodded with a feral glint in his eyes. Without a pause, he joined Lucifer, Chloe and Mazikeen on the dance floor, their laughter merging with the savage rhythm of the music. The trio moved with untamed abandon, caught in the wild frenzy of the festival. The air resonated with primal laughter and wild merriment as they surrendered to the untamed spirit of the festivities. Lucifer even kissed Chloe once ! He was so happy !

In the meanwhile, Dionysos, still wearing his predatory grin, turned to Mazikeen. In a sudden and fierce gesture, he claimed her lips with a wild kiss. Mazikeen, momentarily taken aback, responded with a defiant arch of her eyebrow before succumbing to the primal allure. At least ! Someone that would fuck her properly - before she fucked him!

Lucifer, the eternal observer, chuckled at the savage turn of events. "Seems like even the god of wine can't resist our little Mazikeen's allure," he mused.

Mazikeen
Horny Devil
Lvl 654/800

With a knowing smirk, Dionysos motioned towards a secluded area behind the bar. "When the call of the festivities echoes, who are we to resist a good fucking?" Dionysos and Mazikeen vanished behind the bar, leaving Lucifer with Chloe on the pulsating dance floor.


1st of August 2007
England

In the heart of the ancient Celtic forest, where the trees whispered secrets and the air shimmered with mystical energy, the crazed and whimsical Bellatrix Black, Sorceress, Queen of Hearts, and Priestess of Dionysos, plunged deeper and deeper. Sometimes, she stopped to twerk on a tree. At last, she stumbled upon a clearing where the very fabric of reality seemed to thin, revealing a space untouched by the passage of time—a place where the mystical and the tangible coexisted, where laid a goddess.

Brigid
Queen of the Celtic Pantheon
Celtic Goddess of Life, Magic, Healing, Fire, Arts and Memory
Lvl 2 740/3 000

Her form seemed to meld with the ethereal surroundings, as if she were a manifestation of the very essence of the forest itself. With eyes filled with ancient wisdom that mirrored the depths of the woodland, Brigid regarded the little sorceress marked by Greece.

Bellatrix, swirling with chaotic energy, declared, "Oh, radiant Brigid! I'm here in the name of my god, the Olympian Dionysos, who's got this memory hiccup and needs your divine know-how. Can you help a god out?"

Brigid raised a discerning gaze and queried, "And what boon dost thou propose for my gracious intervention?"

Bellatrix, grinning madly, let out a laugh that echoed through the enchanted forest. "Well, dear venerable goddess, if you assist Dionysos, he's promised three golden apples from the Garden of the Hesperides. Top-quality stuff, straight from the source."

The goddess considered the offer, her gaze reaching beyond the mortal veil and into the pulsating heart of the mystical forest, before plucking one of her hair.

"Dionysos, by partaking in the consumption of this filament derived from my being, shall stay immersed in the realm of oblivion, while the elusive source of his memory's forfeiture shall be laid bare before his divine understanding."

Bellatrix nodded. "Okey. Got it. He eats the hair, he does not have his memory back but he knows where the problem is. I bring back the apples. Got it. Thankyyyy".


2nd of August
Playboy Manor

In the dim chamber, Bellatrix, Priestess of Dionysos, erected protective wards as her god's turbulent anger permeated the room. Though Dionysos seethed with divine unrest, he showed no intent to harm, but, in his anger his Divine Aura was leaking.

"Fuck them! Fuck", the god seethed. By eating the hair of Brigid, he had a vision.

"The Fates. It was the Fucking Fates".

The fates had "seen" him coming, and had influenced the ritual the old Dionysos used to make the new "Dionysus" arrive, and blocked some of his memories - which ones or why, he didn't know.

"Fucking hell!"

But why ? Why had Fates done this? And above all, what was their objective?

End Arc 3

Next Arc : Havel Levesque and the Roman Decadence


Thank you very much for your reviews! Especially to Joe Lawyer for his comments, and to .upg, yomobo06 and Death Fury for their regular reviews.

The plot is starting to thicken: but that's just the tip of the iceberg!

Power Levels are disponible in the companion fic on my profile