Athena was in lockdown mode. The doors and windows of the apartment were locked. The air vents were open with fresh air flowing through them, Athena had shrunk down to the size of a mouse to check herself that there were no poison gas containers. The vents were safe, even more so now that she defeated the rat king in single combat, but that is a story for a later day.
The Jackson-Blofis apartment was one of the safest places on Earth right now and she intended to keep it that way. Sally had asked her to fill in and watch Estelle for the night as an emergency kept Percy and Annabeth away in California. She and Paul were on a date, their first since Estelle was born and wanted to make sure their daughter was safe. Athena would make sure their trust in her was validated and would keep Estelle safe if it meant taking on the Typhon.
Estelle was currently on the couch, with Budo keeping an eye on her while Athena finalized her safety checks. There was a cushion underneath the couch as a fall precaution. In Athena's experience, she knew toddlers were rolly.
"Alright, Budo safety checks are complete," Athena said, growing to her normal size when she conversed with mortals. She was still taller than most women, even most mortal men, but she didn't bump her helmeted head against the ceiling of the Jackson-Blofis residence. "Status report," she commanded Budo.
"Estelle is secure, she is enjoying her favorite show on the couch right now," Budo said reading off of their checklist. "Sally already fed her before she left on her date with Paul. And Bedtime is in one hour," she finished taking off her spectacles. "Until then she can play with her toys or watch TV, but nothing too scary as it can give her nightmares."
"Perfect, the household is secure and shall remain so while I am here," Athena told her owl. "What is the child watching, something fun I hope?" So much so called educational programming did nothing for developing minds. If Athena had an arch enemy other than the American education system it would be educational television. She would rather Estelle and other children be exposed to a good story instead of dreck that was supposed to educate babies like her.
Estelle probably would not care, she was only a few years after all, children could be distracted by pretty colors and pleasant noises. Still, while Estelle was in her care, Athena would do her best to nurture the girl's mind in addition to guarding her body.
Currently the child was more interested in putting her foot in her mouth than the television program anyway so Athena thought it was fine. "That is a good skill to have," Athena told Estelle, "when you grow up your body will forget the ability to do that unless you keep limber, even then your genetics might not avail you of such flexibility. So you should practice when you can." Estelle burbled at her so Athena took that as the girl understanding.
Estelle's toys were scattered about, when she is older Sally and Paul will teacher her the importance of cleaning up after herself Athena was sure. For now, a bit of mess is a necessary sacrifice when you have a child as young as Estelle in your home. At least according to those early child development books Athena read after Sally requested her aid in watching her daughter.
Over all, for a time the evening was pleasant, Estelle was a very rolly child for sure, but that did not bother Athena. She was rather rolly in her time as a baby in her father's stomach. This had far less serious consequences as Estelle was in no danger of falling into pools of stomach acid. Not on Athena's watch.
Athena was enjoying herself despite everything. She only had a day or so after her children were born before she sent them away to be with their mortal parents. She watched her children grow, often invisible or outside a window, like a concerned godly parent, not at all like a stalker. But it was different having a child that you were responsible for. Not for the first time she cursed the ancient laws that kept her from this.
But then, Athena felt something, something very few mortals, even with divine blood would be able to sense, but to her it was like a siren blaring inside her body. Something had tripped her wards, something in Estelle's room.
"Budo be on guard," Athena told her owl. "I am going to investigate a disturbance. If I am not back, call for Diomedes." As skilled as her champion is, Athena doubted that Diomedes could overcome anything that would defeat her. Still, Estelle's safety was most important, Athena had given Sally her word. No harm would come to her daughter tonight. "She will get the two of you to safety."
And with that, Athena walked into Estelle's bedroom. She had yet to summon her armor, despite her instructions to Budo, Athena did not think there was anything to worry about. If there was something truly powerful that tripped her wards like a titan or other god, Athena would have sensed them well before they entered the building. Still, what could pose danger to a mortal infant does not have to be powerful enough to threaten a goddess.
She entered the dark room with a blanket she took from the linen closet and wrapped it up to appear as a sleeping child. The moment she was inside Athena could sense them, there were three of them, one outside the window, one in the closet, and one underneath the crib.
"Good night my little one," Athena said, giving the fake child a kiss on the head to sell the illusion. "And sweet dreams." She thought that was what mothers told their children. She never got the chance to wish her children a good night's sleep out loud. It felt right enough at least.
She sent an aspect of her into the hallway while her real self turned invisible, walking to the door before placing it at her back. Then she let the intruders make the first move. They snuck into the room quietly, perhaps even a mortal who could see through the Mist would miss them. But they were overconfident, snake like creatures, Athena recognized them as the children of Lamia.
Lamia was a problem Zeus and Hera unleashed upon the world. Zeus had an affair, Hera punished a woman, a tale as old as time. Hera stole or killed Lamia's children, depending on the version… but she killed them. That drove Lamia insane, like so many before her, she turned violent and monstrous. She started hunting children and devouring in a twisted act of trying to get her children back from Hera. Athena would feel pity for her, but thousands of years of her and her monster children hunting the children of mortals and gods alike left that well dry.
Her children took on their mother's monstrous visage, like her they appeared snake-like in a vaguely human shape. No legs, but a long snake tail like naga's. They did the hunting for her now but they would not find any prey here, Lamia would go hungry tonight. The children they hunted were thankfully not eaten right away. Apparently fear made things taste better to monsters. Any children taken tonight could be rescued.
They approached the crib and Athena opened her senses. There were three of them in the room with her, but more in the building. She could feel twenty in total, and the goddess of war went to work.
Lamia's Children are dangerous, but they are not warriors. Slippery and clever, but seventeen turned to dust under Athena's spear before the three in Estelle's room reached her crib. Athena turned the lights on surprising them. The abrupt change of light startled the creatures who didn't have eyelids.
"You should not be here," Athena said in her mortal guise. Part of her wondered if she should play the part, but theater was Apollos' domain. Athena was good at killing, she would leave theatrics to the rest of her family.
"Oh mortal you will regret this moment for the rest of your short life," one of Lamia's children hissed at her. "Children's flesh might be the most delicious, but we do not have to share the meat of adults with mother." It waved its tongue at her tauntingly as one of its siblings lunged at her.
Without taking her eyes off of the one speaking, Athena hand found the lamia's throat and ripped it off. The goddess dropped the body and it was dust before it hit the rug. "You trespass at your own peril," Athena said walking toward them, she summoned her armor, but not her shield and spear. "You have tried to hunt a child under my protection, you will fail like the rest of your siblings who I have already dealt with. You will not leave here alive, but you can make your journey to Tartarus more comfortable if you tell me what I want to know."
The three of them were on the roof in an instant due to Athena flexing her will. Torture is not something that Athena enjoyed, it was a method that rarely worked. When the pain starts the victim will say anything and everything to make it stop. Athena could tell when people were lying which made it easier to get answers if she had to, still, she was a warrior, not a torture technician.
"You will answer my questions, you cannot lie to me," Athena warned them, "the only thing you need to decide is how much it will take for me to get my answers."
The one who spoke before made a sound that could be considered a laugh. "You do not scare us, we have nothing to fear from a minor goddess," it said. Athena could feel the lie in the air but did not interrupt. "Perhaps we are no match for your strength, but what can you threaten us with that is worse than Tartarus? You will kill us and we will die. Then in a few years, perhaps a century we will return. So spare us your empty threats goddess," it spat out the last part.
"You believe I am a minor goddess," Athena repeated, letting the words roll off her tongue in contemplation. Their companion did not seem nearly as full of themselves. "Well, I despise ignorance in all its forms so I will correct your mistake. I am no minor goddess. I am Athena," and the heavens echoed around her as she declared herself, "and you have crossed me."
Lamia's children were silent now. Athena had a bit of a reputation after all. A minor goddess would slay them, but Athena scared them. Perhaps it was her history with snake monsters that made them nervous.
"As I said," she continued taking out two knives, one celestial bronze, the other steel forged by the best mortal smith she could find, "I will have my answers one way or another. These knives are made of two different materials. There are some that posit that Celestial Bronze makes the best weapon against anyone who is not a mortal. I can understand that belief, one fatal blow and most monsters turn into dust and you die. It is quick and on the battlefield speed is essential. But it is not the only metal in the world that can kill."
She picked up the steel knife, "with steel however, it is almost as hard, can be almost as sharp, and just as effective as a weapon. However, unlike those that are slain with celestial bronze, steel does not disintegrate monsters right away." She turned to the two Lamia and gave them a look that made them shiver. "You stab a monster with a steel blade, they die just like a mortal would, it could be quick or slow depending on the wielder. It could take hours or even days, or it could be quick," she said, showing them the bronze dagger. "You will die one way or another, but if you tell me what I wish to know I will let you decide the instrument of your destruction. You have until I count to ten to make a decision, otherwise I will do what I wish."
The two children of Lamia exchanged a look. They knew they could not get away from a minor goddess, but Athena was Athena. There was only one choice to be made.
Five minutes later, Athena had the information that she wanted and she fulfilled her promise of letting them choose the bronze dagger. They passed quickly, perhaps too good for monsters that feasted on the blood of children, but Athena was a woman of her word.
Athena returned to the apartment, "it is safe Budo," she told her owl and Estelle. "I have dealt with the threat and have more to deal with."
"More my lady," Budo asked her from her protective perch on the couch. She was just an owl, despite her many talents, she was not a match for a monster. But she would die before she let any harm come to Estelle. Though she was thankful that it did not come to that.
"Yess," Athena said, "I mean yes," the snakey tongue Lamia's Children spoke in was catching, but she shook it from her mind. "There were monsters that were hunting children in the building, they made a nest in the city." She shrugged on a baby bourne and placed Estelle in it. The baby giggled happily and Athena smiled at the sight and sound.
"My Lady," Budo flew over to her with a nervous energy, "this might not be wise."
For a moment Athena looked at them before nodding, "you are right Budo," she said and put the hat she knitted for Estelle on the baby. "There, now she will be warm and comfortable when I slay Lamia and her family."
"No My Lady," Budo hooted so loudly it almost came out as a squawk. "You cannot bring an infant into battle with you. It will put her in danger."
"She will be fine," Athena assured her, "Estelle is the safest child in all of Gaia's bounty in my care."
"Taking a child into battle with you is not my definition of safe," Budo shot back. She knew it was dangerous to argue with Athena, but she would not let anyone put Estelle in danger, not even her. Athena might be her lady and her goddess, but Estelle was her person.
"Lamia is in the city, once she finds out that her children were slain she might be on the move. Hundreds of children will be in danger if I do not finish her off," Athena told loyal Budo, hardening her heart. "I cannot place the possibility of one child's safety over the very real danger that hundreds or thousands will be in." It was easier for Athena to disregard Estelle's safety when she did not have to look at her. "Even," she said, sounding far less sure, "even if she is one dear to my heart," she could admit here and now when no one else could see her soften.
"You could send a hero to go on a quest for you," Budo suggested. "You have over a dozen incredibly competent heroes in your cabin right now who are itching at the chance to prove themselves. They could be here in less than two hours if you requested their aid."
Athena thought Budo vastly underestimated how quickly children, especially those that should be going to bed soon. Athena knew her children, she had faith in her children's abilities, but she did not want any of them in a hundred miles of Lamia. It was one thing to send them on a quest, it was another to send them into the snake tunnels of a monster who was famous for feasting on children. Besides, Lamia's children attacked her, not realizing who she was. That meant that she could deal with them personally by divine laws, something that happened rarely.
Athena had sent enough of her children on a suicide mission already, none of her children would die today. Luckily before she was forced to say something she would regret to Budo they were interrupted.
"Merciful Athena," a voice rang out from the fire escape. It was muffled and clearly annoyed, maybe slightly in pain. "My Lady," the familiar voice rang out, "if you would let down your wards, so I may enter the home." Diomedes asked respectfully, but angrily.
With a wave of her hand, slightly as Athena did not wish to disturb Estelle who seemed content in the bjorn, she let down the wards so her champion could enter the Blofis-Jackson abode. She was clutching her nose, apparently she ran head first into Athena's wards. "Budo summoned me," Diomedes explained.
"You were gone for more than five minutes," Budo said, defending themself.
"It is fine Diomedes," Athena said though frustration bled into her voice. "A threat to young Estelle here," she pointed at the baby strapped to her chest, "made itself known and in my caution I asked Budo to contact you if I was gone longer than five minutes. And she obeyed my orders."
"Then it looks like I came at the right time," Diomedes said, her nose healing already due to her divine constitution.
"Yes, you being here already surprises even me," Athena admitted. Diomedes was swift, but she could not move as quickly as one of the Olympians.
"When I received Budo's message I jumped," Diomedes explained.
"You jumped," Athena repeated.
"Yep, off Olympus," Diomedes nodded.
It was not like even a fall from the heights of Olympus would stop her champion for long, but still, Athena was shocked to hear that her champion did that. "That explains your speed. I ran into Children of Lamia on the hunt. They made the mistake of attempting to kidnap Estelle when I was acting as her temporary guardian. Their mother and siblings are also in the city, as they have attempted to attack me, I have the right to claim retribution," Athena explained. "I mean to ensure that she dines in Tartarus this night."
"And you are going to bring this little one into the fray with you," Diomedes said more than asked. Luckily Athena was so tall that she did not have to crouch to address Estelle on her chest. "Hello there little one," she said to Estelle with a smile. When Estelle giggled back at her, Diomedes knew that she would do anything to keep this child safe.
"If it comes to that," Athena said stubbornly. "I will wrap her in my Aegis and keep her safe."
"Perhaps her body will be safe, but seeing bloodshed at such a young age could stain her mind," Diomedes told her goddess. "I would know."
Athena nodded sadly. She might not have been as young as Estelle, but Diomedes was a child when she first was introduced to war. Tydeus never came home from Thebes and had shaped the rest of her mortal life. She had been younger than Annabeth when she killed her first person. It had been worth it to have Diomedes at her side for the rest of time, but that did not mean Athena had to be happy with what her champion suffered.
"Send me to deal with Lamia and her children," Diomedes told her. "You need to keep your oath to Sally Jackson to keep her daughter safe, but the monster and her children cannot be allowed to roam free. Let your champion be your arm My Lady," she offered with a bow.
Diomedes had a point, it was still dangerous and Athena did not wish to send her champion into the lair of the snake monsters, but it was preferable to sending her children. Athena knew how capable her champion was more than anyone. Taking Estelle with her to deal with Lamia would be breaking her oath to Sally, she would keep her safe, but Athena doubted that the mortal woman would be okay with her taking her daughter into battle.
"Their lair is underneath Brooklyn Bridge Park, my champion," Athena said. "Keep in contact with me and let me know as soon as it is done, but go forth and destroy my enemies."
"Hail Pallas Athena," Diomedes said clearly, her body glowing as she fulfilled her duty as a champion of her goddess. "I will not fail you."
"Come back to me Diomedes," Athena said, softly. Far softer than she would let anyone else hear. Budo could keep a secret if she knew what was good for her and Estelle would not remember this. She could stand to let down her guard with her best friend, for one moment. "You are one of the best warriors I have ever mentored and I made you immortal, but you are not invincible. Retreat if you have to, just come back to me or I will be forced to come get you."
"Yes My Lady, you have my word," Diomedes said and dashed out the window with a smile on her face.
Athena let out the breath she did not realize she was holding. "Thank you Budo," she managed to get out as she took a seat on the couch. She took Estelle off of her chest and placed her gently beside her. The child was still giggling, she probably thought that they would play.
"I am regretful that I had to argue against you my lady," Budo said diplomatically, "but I do not regret that I did." Athena had set up in the Jackson-Blofis house as a liaison between her and Sally. She had grown fond of the family and despite Athena's confidence that Estelle would be in no real danger, Budo was not so assured. Oh they knew their goddess was mighty, but her family's fatal flaw was hubris, her father, her children, her were all susceptible to it.
Even if Athena was correct and no harm came to Estelle, Budo doubted that Sally would see things the way a goddess would. One act could damn the progress Athena had struggled to make these recent months. And Budo would likely not be allowed to see Estelle anymore if she complied. Something she could not risk now that she had grown attached.
"You did the right thing," Athena admitted, she could in this moment when they were alone. Her mind was a million different places at once, something not uncommon for her, but when worry was added to the mix, it was worse than usual. Budo was right of course, while there was very little chance that Estelle would come to harm with her, it would have been a foolish move to take a baby into the den of snake monsters that fed on them specifically.
As a goddess, she had come to accept her children would be in danger, though she was far from happy about it. She still had nightmares about her thoughts of Manhattan when she was fighting the Typhon with her divine family. Estelle and Sally are mortals, she had enough sleepless nights worrying about her son, it would be wrong for Athena to make her worry over her daughter. She would ward the closet and underneath the crib so no creatures could enter and harm the Jacksons.
Creatures that lurked in the night had special rules about them that allowed them to pass Athena's initial wards. That would change.
For now, Athena is conflicted. She knew in her heart that she did the right thing, but she rarely listened to her heart. Diomedes could be in danger, so could every child in the city if she failed. Lamia could get away. Or other gods could get wind of this and start demanding quests carried out, putting the young campers in danger.
"My lady," Budo interrupted her, "you were getting lost in your head."
"Thank you Budo," Athena said, rubbing the bridge of her nose.
"Perhaps something would take your mind off of Diomedes' task," Budo suggested. "Estelle still needs to be put to bed, perhaps you could read her a story."
Simple but perhaps Budo was right. It was getting late and according to her research, young children liked stories. "Perhaps you are right, Budo," Athena said. "Would you like a little story," she asked Estelle, who did not answer but smiled at her, even when Athena tried sign language she just made baby noises. The child might be cute, but she needed to learn how to communicate better. Or perhaps she was communicating for her age range just fine. Something Athena would need to research on her own time when she was not responsible for Estelle's life.
A story that would be appropriate for a child as young as Estelle, Athena thought. She knew many stories, most of them dark and bloody, they were always a little sad as that was the nature of war as much as glory. Not quite appropriate for a baby, but not as dark as the versions of fairy tales that left the hands of the Brothers Grimm.
Athena sat Estelle up, "if it is a story you wish, I will provide," the goddess told the child who did not quite understand. With a wave of her hand, there was a sparkly glow around several of Estelle's plush toys. And the toys rose into the air and arranged themselves like villagers in a town. A blonde elephant that Athena summoned a bit of red cloth around its neck to make up a hooded cape.
'Something simple but fun,' Athena said to herself as she settled on a fairy tale that originated in the old world. "There once was a lovely young girl, she had a name, but because of the red hood she always wore, everyone in town called her Little Red Riding Hood."
Estelle watched her toys perform at Athena's command with rapt attention, her little eyes wider than ever. Such a reaction made Athena feel good about her choice. Eventually they entered the climax, "And the Woodcutter," Athena narrated, as a shark was standing above a dog, "freed Little Red and her grandmother from the Big Bad Wolf's belly," the elephant and apple that played the Grandmother appeared back in on the 'stage.' "They sewed up the Wolf's belly with rocks and tossed him into the river to make sure he could never hurt anyone ever again."
Estelle clapped her hands in excitement when the toys took a bow and fell into a pile. "I am glad you liked it Little One," Athena said, proud that she succeeded. Even if she was just trying to entertain a child. Budo had been correct that she had needed to focus on other things instead of Diomedes exterminating monsters in a snake den.
"Would you like another one," Athena asked Estelle who put her foot in her mouth, the goddess took that as a yes and spread her will over the toys once more. She told Estelle stories of Aladdin, of Bearskin, of Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty, she was not sure how much Estelle understood but she seemed enthralled by Athena's performance.
Eventually, half way through Sleeping Beauty, her phone rang, it was Diomedes. "Athena here," she said quickly, she had no time for nonsense.
"I have failed My Lady," Diomedes said on the line, "at least for now. I sent most of her children to Tartarus, but before I could finish her off, I was jumped by a few who were hiding. There were more than I thought. I wounded her, but she fled while I finished off the rest of her children."
"Are you alright," Athena asked.
"Some scratches and I'll have bruises tomorrow, but I am in one piece," Diomedes said. "I will track her down now, I wanted to let you know that the den is clear for now."
"No," Athena said sharply. "I mean it is alright," she said, forcing herself to calm down. "Tomorrow, the two of us will deal with her. Tonight take the rest of the night off and relax, for tomorrow blood must be shed." Artemis would be the better choice to hunt down a monster. She and her hunters did not have to follow the same laws that Athena had to when it came to the hunt. Or perhaps she could just tell Hera that Lamia was in New York, the Queen of Olympus hated her more than any monster or any of her husband's flings.
But no, it was rare that there was a monster that tried to assault her, Athena rarely hid her divinity unless she was courting and even then she always made sure to let her partners know she was a goddess before offering them a child. It meant that monsters stayed away, either by her aura or by her presence, there were easier meals than a goddess or war. Because one of Lamia's children attacked her, hunting for their mother, Athena was within her rights to bring the fight to the snake woman. She would not squander a chance to stretch her muscles.
"Alright, then," Diomedes said, "I will return to Olympus for the night. I promised Monica I would touch up her wig anyway."
Athena had no idea why her owls enjoyed putting on wigs and wearing clothes, but she did not stop them. They were adorable, only a monster would stop them. "Have a good night," Athena told her.
"Good night, my lady," Diomedes said back before hanging up, leaving Athena alone with the baby and owl.
"Alright Little One," she told Estelle, "time for bed." She picked up Estelle and summoned her crib to the living room. It would be safer for now. "Sleep well and dream of good things," she told the child as she laid her down and wrapped her in a blanket. And she would ensure that the child had the chance
An hour or so later, Sally and Paul would enter their home and find Estelle in her crib, sleeping in the living room. Perched on the crib was Budo watching resting but vigilant. On the couch was Athena in full armor, spear at her side as she read a book to entertain herself. It was a strange, but sweet scene to see the three of them like that.
so Athena watching Estelle, hopefully it came off as cute as it was intended to.
Originally Diomedes was supposed to come back, originally it was supposed to be budo with a new wig and they would walk in on her styling it for her, but it would have been an unnecessary scene and meant I might not finish the story for a few more days given how I was starting and stop it.
I think Athena despite herself is a bit of a mama bear, she isn't allowed to interfere directly, but when Annabeth was in trouble she broke the rules just to help her.
She's an enigma and why she's such an interesting character to write.
The aftermath of dealing with Lamia is probably not gonna be dealt with, the whole god, monster, demigod, power levels are confusing but I don't think there are many monsters that Athena would have trouble taking in a fight so it probably won't be continued. I might write a oneshot about Athena and Diomedes hunting her down, but only if there's interest.
Something that I wanted to make clear is that Athena is scary, she can normally keep it in check and seem stern, but there is a monster underneath that sophisticate veneer that makes her worthy of her title as goddess of war
I hope people like the chapter, not sure when the next one will be out. I have the story planned out to the end, but only outlined so who knows where it's gonna go completely.