Ch9

Alabaster's heart raced in his chest as he looked at his siblings and aunt. They were currently in a makeshift camp in New Jersey and this was by far the largest gathering of his siblings that he had been to in a long time.

Calm down I have to play my hand well. Kronos was coming and if his family was on the wrong side his mother would regret it for ages.

Aunt Medea cleared her throat and the room became silent. "Now then thank you all for coming as you all may have known certain things have happened over the past few weeks. Now Alabaster here will tell you about his quest."

He stepped forward and scanned the crowd, his palms began to sweat as he stared at them. Many faces were curious and some were anxious, his heart raced in his chest as his palms began to sweat. He saw Lou Ellen give him a reassuring smile that eased the tension in him. Calm down they are my siblings even if I don't know most of them well.

"Our mother sent me on a mission," he said as he scanned the crowd. "To find the person who is key to her recognition." Taking a deep breath he recounted his journey at camp and with Percy. The room was silent, even his aunt listened intently as he told them of what had happened.

When he was done he took a deep breath. "True to his word Percy Jackson petitioned his father on our mother's behalf. Unfortunately Lord Poseidon and Zeus got into another argument and the latter saw it as a political move. Nevertheless, Lord Poseidon has offered our mother a chance to build a cabin on his territory in the camp."

His siblings began to chatter among themselves. "A cabin in the camp? What will this mean?"

Medea cleared her throat and the room became silent again. "Things are still being worked out. Our mother has been in contact with Dionysus and Chiron and they agreed to the proposal. Lord Zeus thought displeased will allow it after Hestia intervened."

"But will she get a throne though?" One of his siblings asked. He looked up and saw his brother Balthazar stand up. Like him he had green eyes unlike him he had blonde hair and a fit figure. "Is this just some scraps to keep us silent?" Many murmured in agreement.

His older brother looked down at him from his seat. "Must our mother continue to be given scraps?"

"Olympus does not change overnight," Medea said her voice echoing throughout the room. "But this could be the start of something new. As you all know there are multiple roads in the fabric of destiny."

He frowned thinking of how to retort, a part of him knew his cousins had a right to be cautious. For a long time the children of Hecate didn't have a place to go and the camp historically didn't offer them much.

Balthazar turned to him. "Are mother has long been disrespected who is to say we won't turn into Poseidon's pawns?"

His brow twitched looking at his older brother. Calm down don't let him get to you. Balthazar was always a bit patronizing.

"Percy Jackson does not seek power," he said calmly. Holding his camp necklace he showed the bead he had received. It had a torch and trident side by side, Percy insisted that the torch be added. "He knows what it is like to be mistreated by the world. I don't pretend to know the politics of Olympus but things are going to change fast and if we are on the wrong side so will our mother."

He stepped forward and looked at them all. "Kronos is rising whether Olympus agrees with it or not. Percy Jackson will play an important role that our mother has viewed." His body shook as he looked at each and every one of them, some were skeptical others appeared willing to listen. "There is a war coming and whose side we choose will determine our mother's glory."

The room was silent as he looked them all in the eyes. "Our mother sees many routes for us and we must choose wisely." His heart raced in his chest, yeah he was a bit of a loner in comparison to his other siblings but he couldn't let his mother lose face. "True our mother never had a cabin but now we have that opportunity. I say it is time we show the Olympians what are mother is capable of and the camp what we can do."

His siblings nodded as they chatted among themselves. Lou stood up. "Why not give this camp a chance? It won't be easy but I won't let the world think our mother is a pushover." More and more of his siblings nodded in agreement while others were cautious. He didn't blame them, most of the Greek world ignored them.

Medea clapped her hands. "Then it is settled. We will build this Cabin and those who wish to go can join in."

I'll make sure it is perfect. "I know a satyr who is more than willing to lead us to camp," he said firmly. Grover was a nice guy and the satyr promised to help out the children of the minor gods more.

As his siblings began to chat amongst themselves Balthazar came up to him. "Alabaster are you sure about this?"

He looked up at his older brother. "Things won't change over night but neither will they if we stay on our asses doing nothing."

Balthazar folded his arms. "You're too optimistic. Do you honestly think this little gesture will change anything? Olympus has often forgotten our mother what will make this time any different?"

He frowned. "I'm not naïve Balthazar but this is our best bet to prove our mother's worth."

"Whatever." Balthazar rolled his eyes.

"Well it's better than nothing at the moment," he said through gritted teeth. His older brother always had a habit of being an annoyance.

"Hey guys!" Lou came up to them. "What are you guys talking about?"

He looked at Balthazar and back at his sister. "Nothing. What do you need?"

Lou smiled. "I want to go to the camp with you."

"Are you sure? Maybe you should practice with Auntie for a few more years," Balthazar said. "Get a few more years of training under your belt."

He frowned. "I'm sure you'll enjoy Lou."

"Auntie said it might be good for me," Lou said. " is Percy going to be there?"

"Yeah he'll there for a while," he said.

"Great. I hope to see him there," Lou said before going off to talk with their other siblings.

"Well little brother lets see how your little game will unfold. I'll go put don't think this means we all agree with you," Balthazar said with a hard stare before turning around and leaving.

Cocky bastard I'll show you.

That night he found himself in his mother's hall. Hecate was calmly looking at the fire.

He bowed to her. "Mother what do you need."

The flames flickered as his mother waved her hand over it. "I say many paths Alabaster. Shadows are rising, we must be careful."

"Mother I'll make sure we are all safe," he said firmly. "I'll show everyone what we can do."

A small smile spread across his mother's face. "Ah Alabaster you always had a fiery spirit. I know you will do great things." She waved her hands and the flames flickered, he saw images of his quest with Percy on them. "Percy Jackson will play a role for everyone in the future, if he wishes to train here with you then I will allow it."

His eyes widened. "But mother he can't use magic?"

"There are other ways to train," His mother said as the flames flickered in front of her. "He should be prepared for what is to come. Also we should speak with that Satyr when we get the chance."

He sighed. "As you wish mother."

Percy watched as the two cabins were made. They were both made out of these floating black stones that seemed to levitate in the air over the water. "They look nice."

Alabaster came up to them and sighed. "They'll be done soon but one wrong step and they can blow things up."

He laughed awkwardly. "Well take your time. Are all of your siblings coming?"

Alabaster frowned. "Not yet just a few. Many are nervous about making the decision."

"Well if they do come I promise to be as warm as I can," he said.

"Thanks." Alabaster looked at Lou who was carefully examining the foundation. "Some of the younger ones could use the help, their magical abilities aren't fully developed."

The son of Hecate sighed. "Oh my mom wants to speak to you and Grover."

"Really? What for?" He asked.

"She wants to help train you and guide Grover or something," Alabaster said. "She'll explain it better."

"Um thanks," he said. I could use more training. Frankly the idea of meeting Hecate and training with her sounded cool, he didn't know if he could use magic but it wouldn't hurt to try.

Alabaster then turned to Ethan. The two stared at each other awkwardly before Alabaster cleared his throat. "Um your cabin will be done soon, I hope you enjoy it."

Ethan awkwardly avoided his gaze. "Thanks."

"Well um I better get going," Alabaster said curtly. "My mom also is going to put in a small bathhouse in the name of Poseidon as a gift of her thanks. Anyway see you around."

"Uh cool. See you man." As soon as he was out of earshot he turned to Ethan. "Are you two still fighting?"

Ethan avoided his gaze. "He hasn't fully trusted me, not that I blame him. Damn Luke I didn't think he would try to manipulate me to hurt you."

"No worries. He's a manipulative guy anyway," he said reassuringly. "Besides he tricked me too, I thought he was a friend but in the end, he was a sneaky guy."

Ethan nodded. "Well I'm going to take a nap in your cabin."

"Go ahead," he said. "I'll try to talk to Alabaster when I can." Ethan nodded and left.

He watched as Chiron, Mr. D, and Medea watched over the project. Medea was allowed in camp under a strict oath on the Styx to not harm any of the campers and Mr. D was to be her guide at all times. So far she was only preoccupied with helping the cabins and took no interest in anything else.

As he walked around the construction area he noticed a familiar blonde girl glaring at him from the trees. Their eyes met and after an awkward minute of them staring at each other Annabeth came up to him her brow furrowed. Great what now.

"Annabeth do you need anything?" he asked politely.

The daughter of Athena folded her arms her posture rigid. "You could've used me on the quest." Her voice was low and accusatory as if he did something to personally offend her.

He rolled his eyes. "For the last time, I chose Alabaster and Grover. Get over it it's done." Annabeth had mostly ignored him since he got back and only seemed to glare at him whenever they came near each other. I swear she acts like I stole something from her.

Annabeth's nostrils flared. "You ruined everything you were supposed to be my ticket out of here."

He raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me? I'm not anyone's ticket out of here. Maybe if you fixed your attitude you'd get your own quest."

Red flags went off in his head. As a person who was undoubtedly unpopular at school, he knew what it was like when the popular kids used people like him to get what they wanted, it made him sick. Now with Annabeth talking about him being her ticket out made him want to be cautious.

"Fine," Annabeth said, her gaze narrowing. "But when I get my own quest you won't come." She said the last part as if it were supposed to mean something important.

He shrugged. "Ok."

Annabeth seemed taken aback by his answer, she looked at him and the cabins that were being made. "What do those people know about building? Athena could build it better."

There was a bit of derision in her voice that made his blood boil, it was the same condescension he often faced at school from people who thought he was a stupid kid who would go nowhere. He knew the look, he had received it his entire life. "Well it looks cool and they are better company than you."

Annabeth's brow twitched, she almost looked hurt. "Whatever," she muttered before turning around and leaving.

What is her deal. He shook his head, the daughter of Athena was probably the second most irritating person here right after Clarisse. Well I never got along with girls like her anyway. He knew the type, the popular girls who would never give a guy him the time of day unless they wanted something or wanted to use him at his own expense.

I may be a son of Poseidon, the child of one of the strongest gods but I won't let people look down on those I care about or let them treat me well just because I am his son. Alabaster had done a lot for him, his entire family did and he was going to do all he could to make sure Hecate was as respected as his father was. If people wanted to be his friend here they would have to treat Alabaster and the other children of Hecate with respect and if they wanted to look down on them or other children of the minor gods he didn't want anything to do with them.

"Hey Percy!" He turned around and saw Lou coming up to him. "You want to see the Cabin when it's done?"

He smiled. "Sure. How are things coming along?"

"Oh good. We should be done soon," Lou said. "We'll have weekly fire pit sessions you should join us."

"I'll be there," he said. Out of the corner of his eyes, he swore he saw Annabeth watching them with a stone-hard gaze looking at Lou as if she committed some slight against her.

Lou's face reddened as she turned away. "A-Anyway see you around."

"Uh yeah bye." The daughter of Hecate nodded and quickly rejoined her siblings.

That night he dreamt he was in a large abandoned cathedral. "Where am I?" Looking around he saw a woman dressed in black shawl talking with a familiar person. "Alabaster?"

"Percy!" the son of Hecate looked at him and back at the woman. "Mother he is here."

Mother? His eyes widened as the woman turned to him and smiled. "Nice to meet you Percy Jackson. I am Hecate goddess of magic, the torch, and multiple paths."

He bowed. "N-Nice to meet you."

"I often communicate with my children through here and teach them the arts," Hecate said her eyes flickering with fire. "Your other friend should be here soon."

"Other friend?" He turned around and saw Grover appear.

"Wh-Where am I?" Grover looked at him then at Alabaster and Hecate before bowing. "L-Lady Hecate."

"Come forward Satyr," Hecate said with a smile. "Pan has long been an old friend of mine."

Grover's eyes widened. "Then do you know where he is?"

Hecate shook her head. "Unfortunately I do not. It has been ages since even I saw him. But I will bless you that your path may be lit up and you will not be deceived." She chanted something in Ancient Greek before a rune hit Grover. His friend stepped back as a green aura enveloped him. "There are many tricks on the road, be careful of the routes that appear promising but lead to doom."

Snapping her fingers a torch appeared in her hand. It flew towards Grover who took it and bowed. "Th-Thank you Lady Hecate this means a lot."

"I also have some children who wish to come to camp. I shall guide you to them," Hecate said calmly.

Grover bowed. "It would be my honor to show them the camp."

Hecate nodded and turned to him. "Percy Jackson I offer to train you along with my children. While you cannot use magic as well as them you can learn to control the basics of the mist along with training you with weapons. Do you accept?"

"Uh sure. Thank you mam," he said with a bow. Sounds cool. The more I can learn the better.

Hecate smiled at him. "I hope others can be as understanding of those less fortunate as you. Raise your sword." Sifting through his pocket he took out Riptide. Hecate traced the length of the blade with her finger and muttered something in Ancient Greek. Riptide glowed as dark smoke fell off the edge. "Ares' curse will no longer work."

Staring at his sword he gripped it in his hand. "Thanks I don't know what I would've done if this thing stopped working."

Hecate placed a hand on his shoulder. "Your mother raised a good son, she must be proud of you and will be even more proud of your accomplishments."

He smiled at her. "She did."

Hecate's eyes lit up with flames. "Your journey won't be easy but your actions will affect many."

AN: Hope you are all enjoying it so far. Balthazar is an OC I made since Lou and Alabaster are the only Demigod children of Hecate in canon that aren't from Greek mythology so I decided to add another. I'll try to weave more things about Hecate into this story.

According to the short story Son of Magic Hecate had the most children out of the minor gods and suffered the most casualties.

For a side note while various fanfics portray Lou Ellen as being in the Hermes Cabin and even fighting on the side of the Olympians while others portray her on the Titan's side; in canon there is no indication on which side she was on as far as I can tell. Also as a reminder this story is written before Rick's new Hecate book so forgive me if he reveals anything new about Lou or Alabaster in it that I don't include here.

As for Annabeth, this isn't a bashing fic but her pride was hurt when Percy didn't choose her. Rereading the first book she was a bit standoffish with Percy in the beginning and really wanted to go with him on his quest. So she is still standoffish towards Percy.

Anyway please like, follow, and review.