This was a lot of fun to write,

It sets up a ton of storylines.

To Mount Olympus

Aaron felt it odd that he was literally being ferried to Mount Olympus by Argus, a tall blonde man covered in a hundred eyes. Partially because he never even spoke to Argus despite being connected to Hera ( they just never interacted given Aaron's busy schedule, but he swore to change that), but also partially because he was going to MOUNT OLYMPUS! For crying out out loud, it was insane to even consider. Even as he walked into the Empire State building, and was one of the first in the elevators he just could not wrap his head around what he was doing.

In fact, it was only when he crossed the long path into the Home of the Gods, looking down to the mortal world, that things clicked. Looking around as he continued, seeing a city of opulence, bronze and marble and gold, his heart ached and he knew his goal.

'I want this, to become this. To become a god, immortality is the path I will walk toward.'

And oddly, something settled in his soul, a sort of aimlessness calming as he knew who he would one day become.

"It's amazing, isn't it?" Charlie whispered as Chiron led them forward. "You're first year as a witch is over, and it is rewarded by seeing the actual gods."

Aaron masked it well, but his admiration for the gods was at an utter low, lowering even as Charlie talked about seeing his literal family as a 'Gift'. "It is something else, that is for sure."

They passed through a market, with people hawking wares like a Replica of the Golden Fleece, ambrosia on a stick and so much more. In a garden, Nymphs giggled as they were want to, peppering them with olives and more. It was an odd, but as the approached the Gods Council chamber, their raw power filled the air with unimaginable strength, the kind that made his skin tingle, his magical reserves boiling over in response.

Chiron, apparently sensing this, turned to him. "It's energizing, is it not?"

"Exceedingly so... It's hard to relax."

The Centaur chuckled. " I am all too aware, my boy... breath, it will help." As they reached the open council doors, they were greeted by the ten foot tall gods, each sitting in their various them themed thrones.

Aaron only had eyes for Hera and Hestia, the latter of which was sitting by the Hearth tending to it with love in her warm face. Hera winked at him subtly, Hestia nodding. He said nothing, only smiled back as the rest of the kids filled the hall.

Zeus, tall and bronze with a thick well trimmed silver beard and cloudy suit, stood from his throne. The air became heavy with his presence, a show of power that Aaron barely stopped rolling his eyes at. "This meeting between gods and the heroes has begun. He gestured to the gods around him, almost bored in his words. "Feel free to visit your children, or whomever catches your eye."

The gods were all stunned when Hera stood first, shimmering to a smaller force, walking toward Aaron swiftly only to put her arms around him, as did Hestia only a moment later. "My sweet child, how are you?"

He laughed, as the other kids got the chance to speak to their much more detached parents. "Well enough... though, I am sure you know what I want talk to you about."

They both frowned, nodding. "We sensed your pain when you cast the empathy spell, and your repeated attempts to master that technique... we know of what you see issue with." Hestia flicked her fingers, a ripple of fiery energy washing around them masking their words from even Zeus. "We cannot ask Zeus or the others to care for their children, it has been something I have petitioned for for eons. It falls on deaf ears."

Hera sighed. "Seeing your own suffering, before we met, only makes me wish I could do more but alas even I am limited. There are things you can do, though... act in our stead."

He frowned. "Like?"

Hestia smiled. "I know you loathe how Aphrodite's children do not care for their own training..."

"So I could help them better themselves!"

She nodded. "You would have Hera's authority, and my own. But be careful, less Zeus think you are conspiring against him."

They all shuddered at that, no one had any desire to face Zeus' paranoid wrath...

"Yes, My Ladies..." He sighed, unable to mask his own fear. "I can only hope it goes well."

They held his hands. "It will... now... this meeting only lasts a few hours, so why not show us what you've managed to master. I do believe you mastered a new ward spell? One that punished those irritating Stoll brothers." Hera asked, holding out her hand.

Excited once more, he pulled out a ward bag. "It has spelled ashes in it, harnessing the essence of fire. I cannot use it fully during anything but actual battle, but I was hoping to integrate the power into your cabin, Lady Hera." Handing the ward bag to her, she turned it over, pride in her eyes. "Argus would love it if you showed him these ward bags, he is Head of Security for the Camp... I think we should talk to him about it now."

And with a wave of her hand, Argus hurried over, peace in his many pretty eyes.

Chapter end, tell me what you think in the reviews.

This was a joy to write.

Love, your Ninja Overlord,

Mika.