Ch20

The flames reacted to her anger growing larger and more menacing as her anger grew. How dare he. Hecate clenched her fist as the flames grew larger and wilder. Lou is just a girl. The fact that her daughter's life nearly ended at Kronos' personal minion made her wish he burned to death.

Alabaster knelt in front of her. "Lou is recovering. I healed her in time and Chiron double checked. She should be well soon."

"I saw the battle but I wish to hear your view Alabaster," she said calmly. "Would he have killed her?"

Her son looked up at her his gaze as hard as the pyre. "He would have without a second thought."

Clenching her fists it took all her willpower to not show her anger. "Take care of her and your siblings."

Alabaster bowed. "Yes mother." With that he disappeared into the mist leaving her domain. As soon as he was gone the pyre's flame increased lighting the entire area. How dare he try to harm her?

Tears nearly formed in her eyes at the memory of her daughter so close to death. She was never a fighter like her siblings. Yet she knew her daughter wanted to her proud too. Seeing her daughter nearly perish in the flames stirred something inside of her. Would I really be willing to sacrifice her or my other children for own glory? Of course she wanted recognition but she also was a mother. A mother who deeply loved a cared for her own children and seeing Lou so close to dying aroused her fury.

Turning around the flames flickered. Taking a deep breath she transported herself to the underworld. She needed to talk to someone and knew of the right person to talk to.

In a flash she found herself outside of Hades' palace. The underworld was technically a part her domain as well even if Hades ruled it. Back in the day people would pray to her so that the souls of the deceased would find safe passage through the underworld. As for Hades, the lord of the underworld was always cordial with her. In a way they both respected each other even if the other gods didn't always do so.

As she approached the skeletal guards they looked at her cautiously. "Alert your lord; I wish to speak with him."

The guards nodded but before they could respond the door opened and Hades appeared wearing a fine robe. "Ah Hecate what brings you here?"

"I just wish to speak with you," she said calmly.

Hades looked at her and nodded. "Come on in. It's been a while Hecate."

She followed the god through the gate and into the garden where Persephone's trees ominously stood around them.

"So what brings you here?" Hades asked as they passed by some trees. "I take it you don't just want to talk about my wife's new pomegranate trees."

She looked up at the dark palace. "Things are happening even if your brother doesn't want to admit it."

Hades froze. "I see. Let me guess it's about my father?" He said it in a nonchalant way as if it were a random piece of news.

Quick to the point as always. "How do you do it?" she asked. "How do you remain loyal while you have no throne on Olympus." She didn't fear Hades ratting on her, the lord of the underworld was frank and fair despite what others might believe.

Hades frowned and looked up at the tree. "It's a pain don't get me wrong but do you think my father would be a better alternative?" The lord of the underworld turned to her, his gaze as stone as ice. "Between you and me do you know what type of being my father was?"

"I've heard the stories," she admitted.

Hades chuckled. "Trust me it's sucks being unrecognized. But whatever my father promises you take it with a grain of salt." His gaze hardened. "I know you love your children but to him they will be less than cannon fodder. He won't care about them or you. You'll just be another pawn and you won't even know it. You might get a throne eventually but the price will be high and expectations don't always match reality."

She pondered his words as she looked at the pomegranate tree. "There are many paths in life. I strive for my own seat as do all the minor gods. Yet more than anything I want my children to be safe."

"Play your cards right and I'm sure you can get what you want from my siblings," Hades said as he traced the trunk of a tree. "Olympus may be a circus at times but trust me it is better than anything my father will offer. The titan lord's words are always mixed with half truths. You'll get what you want but at what cost? You should ask what you are willing to give up" Hades' gaze flickered. "For my father, everyone is a disposable tool and your children will be the same.

Hades' gaze flickered. "I mean just look what he did to me and my siblings and we are his children. No offense but what does that make you let alone your children?"

She avoided his gaze as the memories of the flames replayed in her head. Her children screamed as they were slain. Their cries for help echoed throughout the world all while she sat on her own throne.

Recognition built on the backs of my own children. The thought made her tremble. "Thank you," she said softly.

"Be careful Hecate," Hades said looking her in the eyes. "My father has a habit of saying things with a silver tongue and pays out in scraps. Before you know it you'll be too deep in to see that you are already ensnared in his trap expecting more and getting so little."

The lord of the underworld looked at her calmly. "I can't stand my brothers but their bickering up there is so much better than living under the rule of my father. If it's for us how bad will it be for you and your children?" Hades turned around. "If you want your own children to be cannon fodder for my father go ahead but don't think he'll actually care. My father does not share. Never has and never will."

Hades' words replayed in her mind as she transported herself to her own realm. His honeyed words are just that. Turning to the flames of her pyre she waved her hand over them. I won't be a bystander anymore.. She will fight for her children and herself. The flames reacted and soon the sight of a familiar goddess appeared and turned to her in shock. "Hecate to what do I owe this surprise?"

"There is something you should know," she said calmly. "Kronos has been trying to recruit me and other minor deities."

"What?" Amphitrite said her face frozen.

She nodded. "What's more Oceanus is helping him hide the ship he resides on."

The sea queen's eyes widened. "Oceanus? Are you sure? This can't be, he was neutral during the last war." Her face paled and she could see her shake.

"The Titan Lord told me himself," she said calmly. "Besides I felt his presence when my children dueled on that ship."

"I must alert my husband," Amphitrite turned to her. "Thank you."

She nodded. "We all will face trials in the future. I fear this war may extend to your own realm."

Amphitrite's face paled. "I will do all I can to avoid that."

As soon as the image disappeared she looked at the flames and focused on where she felt Alabaster's cards. Her son kept them close and always made new ones but one was not with him. One was in the middle of the ocean hidden on the Titan Lord's ship. A smile spread across her face, she'd show the world what happens when her children are hurt.

The concealment charm hid Alabaster as he walked through the camp. Alright lets do this. Chiron had entrusted him with this mission, a quest of his one and he wasn't going to let it slip from his hands.

I'll make you proud mother. If I get this quest I know the other gods will know what your child can do.

Tracing his second bead he could hardly believe he had stayed here for a year now. He had never stayed in one place for so long and deep down he had to admit it was nice. His siblings were excited to get their first bead and he knew it wouldn't be easy but he wanted to make sure they could make this place their home.

As he entered the Big House he went upstairs to the attic. The smell of dust hit him as he made his way to the Oracle of Delphi. Taking a deep breath he did a small bow to the corpse. "Hello I am Alabaster Torrington son of Hecate. Great Spirit of Delphi what is my quest?" He didn't know how this was supposed to go but suddenly he felt a change in the mist as green smoke came out of the corpse's mouth.

"Alabaster Torrington Son of Hecate, hear my words." The oracle's eyes lit up as she turned to face him. Green smoke came out of her mouth taking the shape of his father except his eyes were green.

"A shining Flame shall show the way.

Find your way through the endless maze.

A hero shall rise in the place without hope.

Find the seeker save the mad.

The lost shall lead to the broken fist."

AN: Hope you all enjoyed this arc. As for Annabeth, I would say she definitely still sees Percy as a rival. As for Percy he thinks she's full of it. For those wondering about pairings, I haven't thought of any and may keep this story gen but it isn't set in stone

The next arc will be a bit different and deviate from canon. Don't expect it soon, I still have to revise the next section and plan out how the rest of this story will be. I also am taking a small break from writing due to personal reasons but don't worry this story isn't abandoned.

Let me know what you think along with any ideas you all may have. In the mean time please like and follow.