Summary: Perseus, first-born child of Poseidon and Amphitrite, God of the Stars and Constellations, of Navigation and of the Astral Plane. Patron of Heroes and Mentor to the Goddess Artemis. Sitting upon the ruling council of the Gods for thousands of years – and now facing the end of Olympus.


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Discord server created for Astraeus – A place for Q , as well as general discussion of the story and somewhere I will be posting updates. I also have a good amount of Story Art posted there for examples of people, places and things in the story. Server is expanding to include some of my other work, as well as things like a recommendation channel for some of our favorite fanfics.

Anyway, thanks to everyone supporting my work!


Chapter Nineteen

The chain sheared easily beneath the celestial bronze harpe sword, and despite the spray of saltwater in his eyes and the shrieking noises created by the sea serpent which nearly distracted him, he was able to catch the collapsing form of the woman with a single arm around her waist. Pegasus was doing admirably in keeping the focus of the beast while he made to rescue the would-be sacrifice, and he noticed immediately that she was extremely light, her delicate build unable to unbalance him even as her full weight fell into his side.

She was beautiful, enough so that facing another threat so soon after Medusa didn't feel like a hardship at all, if it meant saving her from such a grisly fate as should've awaited her. Dark hair and dark eyes – eyes staring at him with gratitude and wonder as he arrived on a flying horse, sword in hand in order to rescue her from Poseidon's wrath.

"It's great that the two of you are having a moment, or whatever…" Pegasus spoke, in a language only he could seemingly hear. "But if you don't mind, I'd rather not be eaten today. How about we switch places, and I'll hold the girl while you deal with this oversized worm."

Perseus nearly smile-

Astrum crushed the memory which tried it's best to consume his thoughts, annoyed that once more the weakness of his other half was doing it's best to encroach upon his mind. He had better things to think about than a long-dead woman who should've no longer held any sway over him. The feelings she once ignited within him were dead, buried and cold just like she was, and that's where they would remain.

He could feel her, though...resting eternally in the embrace of his stars...he'd nearly forgotten her face…

"You wanted to see me?" he asked, forcing his focus away from Andromeda, and back to where it belonged. Ahead of him and seated on her throne within the Observatory, Hemera was staring at him with an amused expression. She found the entire situation quite funny in a way he most certainly did not. The only saving grace was perhaps the absence of Aether, his empty throne a blessing for the moment.

"I did," she agreed, thankfully not remarking on his shameful lack of self-control. "I told you before that you would have a pivotal part to play in the current crisis facing Olympus. It is now time for you to proceed. Success or failure will depend upon you, and we will not be aiding you in this endeavor. Win or lose, you will face the future you create."

Astrum nodded firmly – that was just as he preferred. He didn't want their help, and would never ask for it. A victory given was not a victory earned, and he would refuse their aid on principle were they to offer it.

"To facilitate your presence, we've removed your counterpart from play. He will remain in the sea, while you step into the light. His part is just as crucial, have no doubt, but it is you who must begin moving things forward for good or for ill. To that end, you will be overseeing his positions and reclaiming those which he has relinquished," she said.

"Does that not constitute breaching the divide between Greece and Rome?" he asked in response, wondering if the Ancient Laws would even allow such a thing at this time. Zeus ordered otherwise, but despite his lofty position, he was not the Master of everything and the protogenoi stood as high above Zeus as he stood above mankind.

"Is that an issue for you?" she returned, raising a single eyebrow.

"No," he answered plainly. "The delicate sensibilities of the Greeks may be damaged, I suppose, but it is no issue for me."

"Your task, monumental as it may seem," she continued, ignoring his interruption. "Will be to secure the loyalties of your people, and repair the damage which has been done. Without this, Olympus falls. Do not mistake me – that is not an invitation to destroy all which has been built in place of it. It is crucial to preserve what has been obtained."

"I don't even know what that means," Astrum responded, raising an eyebrow of his own.

"It means," she stressed, "Do not destroy all that your counterpart has created only to replace it with your own vision. That would be regression, rather than progression, and would lead to the same end as if you did nothing. Your presence must enhance, not detract, or all is lost. I would prefer to see you victorious in this conflict, but we will not act to save you or defend you should you begin traveling the wrong path. Our plans hinge on both you and your counterpart being both wise enough to understand how to move forward correctly, as well as insightful enough to understand that it is not always your own desires which must take precedence. Know when to bend, pride irrelevant, and know when to stand firm."

"And should we fail?" Astrum asked.

The expression on Hemera's face turned stony. "Then I will welcome the second rule of the Titans with both grace and friendship."

The flare of heat which pulsed through him at those words was scorching in it's intensity, though she remained unaffected. "Go now, to the realm of Gaia," Hemera ordered. "Take your place in the light, and do whatever you may to preserve what you have built. Time crawls ever forward, and as the Age turns it will be your decisions and those of your counterpart which decide it's inevitable course."

That didn't sound ominous at all.


Winter in the northwest was much harsher than the mild temperatures of Camp Half-Blood, but the Blessing of the Moon made certain that Atlanta and her sisters didn't feel the worst of it. The wild was their home and so they were capable of making themselves comfortable no matter the climate. Their clothing became heavier – with thicker parkas lined with fur and gloves to cover their bare fingers – and their camp was forced to conform to the changes in the weather, but they were adaptable by nature.

Their meals changed to more hearty stews loaded with the necessary calories which would sustain them as their bodies burned more energy to keep warm, and they hunted larger game as the colder temperatures meant that the meat would keep longer and not be wasted. It was an adjustment for their newest sisters, Bianca and Clarisse, but both of them were doing well and had become used to the lifestyle they lived over the previous months.

Bianca seemed to find the modification the most difficult, as she'd been used to the lavish and decadent lifestyle offered with the Lotus Eaters, where you never want for anything and everything seems perfect, even if only at a surface level. Clarisse, by contrast, was much more used to a difficult life, and so she seemed to assimilate to her new lifestyle more smoothly.

Both of them, however, seemed content with their new sisterhood, though it wasn't uncommon for them to bicker back and forth. It'd become a source of amusement for the other girls, though Atlanta personally found it somewhat exasperating. As the person they were most familiar with, even if only just, it was her duty to act as a mentor for the younger girls until they found their footing within the Hunt.

She was beginning to see why Zoë always stuck to mentoring just one girl at a time whenever possible.

It was a true sisterhood, however, and so she wasn't left to teach them alone. Phoebe had taken to keeping Clarisse close while on their patrols, as they were half-sisters through their father, though they were separated by several thousand years, and Camille had set herself the task of teaching wilderness survival methods to Bianca. Lady Artemis took them both beneath her instruction in archery, as she did all of the girls, and Zoë worked with them on silent communication methods which they used when speaking just wasn't an option.

It would take decades for them to learn it all, as things changed depending on where they found themselves in the world. The hand signals were easy, but it was often the case that they weren't within sight enough to use them. In that event they used sounds which carried much further, and always it was sounds of the wilderness they were so immersed in. The call of a local songbird, the harsh knocking of a woodpecker, or even the bugle of a bull elk. Their location determined the nature of the sounds, with the rich forests being perhaps the easiest – if the most varied – while desert climates were the most difficult, as there wasn't much sound to choose from in order to send out alerts.

The very first thing they were taught, however, was to signal if they were in distress or danger, and to keep to the center of the formation whenever possible. Those on the outer edges were meant to be more experienced, and those who were more vulnerable were kept within the perimeter as much as they could. This included their newest sisters, as well as the few clear-sighted mortals who didn't have any divinity to fall back on outside of the Blessing itself.

Lady Artemis was mindful of their inexperienced sisters, and had refused to allow them to make any movements for the day while she dealt with the Solstice meeting on Olympus. They'd been raiding war-bands of monsters for months, but without her presence she'd ordered them to stand down and remain in camp while she was away. The risk was too great this close to Alaska, when their enemies knew that the Gods would be distracted.

It was something of a reprieve, truth be told, and all of the girls were making the most of the lazy day in camp. Isabelle and Chandra were taking turns having the wolves perform complex tricks for strips of raw meat, and as fierce as they were, the canines seemed to be enjoying themselves. Zoë was lounging near the campfire and writing with her elegant script in a journal of sorts, though the content of her writing was always kept private, while Atlanta was opposite her and enjoying the rich taste of her warm tea.

Bianca and Clarisse were busy sniping at one another while learning the proper way to fletch an arrow, and Phoebe was poking at them both to keep them arguing to the amusement of their sisters.

The serenity wasn't to last, and the entire camp tensed as the wolves suddenly stopped moving – their senses tied to their mistress herself. Only seconds later the Goddess arrived in camp with a flash of sudden light, and Zoë was on her feet in an instant, her book disappearing into her parka.

"Gather your weapons," Lady Artemis ordered. "Olympus is under siege on multiple fronts, and treason has been revealed against us. Hecate has abandoned Olympus, and has ensured that our enemies may strike at our most vulnerable places. As I speak, the demigod camps are under direct attack."

"New York then, milady?" Zoë questioned sharply.

Lady Artemis nodded. "Rome has been notified and the Legion is already mustering. They will hold. Camp Half-Blood is the softer target, and already some have fallen. We leave in five minutes, gather all that you can."

That was all the information they needed. The entire camp erupted into motion, and weapons were gathered with a swift precision. Atlanta dove into her own tent to gather what she might need, including the hunting horn of her patron and her spare knives, which would be strapped to her lower back in case she lost her primary blades. Quiver stuffed full of arrows, light leather armor beneath her parka, and heavy boots laced tight for better support. She emerged to find Lady Artemis helping their two newest sisters prepare, and took her place next to Zoë as they formed four neat lines of six girls in each.

Alongside them the wolves prowled with the fur raised on their backs, their agitation a clear sign that Lady Artemis was less calm than she appeared outwardly.

"Expect to arrive in the midst of a pitched battle," she informed them, taking her place at the head of their formation. "So far as we know it's just a war-band of monsters who are operating under our enemy's banner, but take precautions. We have no way of predicting if a Titan or a traitorous God may enter combat. I will stay close just in case, but I must be prepared to move at a moments notice to more critical locations, so I will not be entering the battle fully. I cannot abide distractions."

"As of this moment, our King has taken to the battlefield at the ruins of Othrys, alongside Ares and Hermes," she continued, and Atlanta felt her own spine straighten. Zeus had never taken the field in all of her lifetime. "Poseidon is under siege at Atlantis, and both Perseus and Athena are aiding in it's defense. At any point I may be called away, and so I urge you, my friends – take caution."

Lady Artemis stared at them intently for another moment, and Atlanta could feel the devotion she had for each of them in her gaze. Finally, she gave a tiny nod. "Safe hunting, my sisters."

The world twisted and bent, and suddenly they were in the forest near the Long Island Sound. The air smelled and tasted different, and Atlanta's innate sense of navigation seemed to flip-flop for a single breath before it righted itself. However despite that, the instant their feet touched the ground Zoë was already leading the charge, setting a brutal pace from the front which those who followed were forced to match.

"Phoebe center left, Atlanta center right," she ordered. "Camille far left and leading, Chandra far right and flanking."

As the girls spread out and each of their lines followed, Atlanta allowed her feet to shift her position so that she was just behind and to the right of her lieutenant. Her adrenaline was beginning to rush, and among the girls the wolves were beginning to surge ahead with long, bounding strides. Bows were drawn, arrows nocked, and they could already hear the sounds of battle from up ahead through the trees.

"Sound the call!" Zoë ordered, somehow surging even further ahead, her speed nearly doubling.

Without hesitation, Atlanta raised the Horn of Artemis, and a long, low note seemed to roar forth from the instrument just as they breached the treeline. Silver arrows ripped past her like missiles, and each of them found purchase in the exposed enemy lines. Meanwhile the leading wolf howled sharply at the sound of the horn and the speed of the canines was truly unleashed on the open field, their pace fully outmatching the Hunters.

The cries of their enemies were drowned out by the second tone of the Horn, and then Atlanta lowered it to take up her own weapons. The Hunters weren't numerous like the campers or the legionnaires, and so they wouldn't be fighting with shields and spears and swords. Instead, they were fast and agile and accurate, and they would fall among the enemy monsters in a looser formation, but all the more dangerous. Full offense, right from the start.

The four girls in the lead would be in the most danger, but it was the job of each girl who followed to watch the back of the girl ahead of her. For this reason, in a pitched battle like this, Zoë along with the oldest and most experienced girls would take the front, and would do their best to cause as much damage as physically possible to their enemies, while the bows of their sisters covered their openings. After the initial push, the girls in the rear would move inward and they would fight side-by-side, while three or four held back to continue covering them from range. It was effective, but only because of the Blessing enhancing their own abilities.

After only three shots from her bow, Atlanta met her enemies even as Zoë leaped into the air to gain precious seconds necessary to get two more shots off. Her archery was without peer, and none of the other Hunters had spent more time or dedication to the art than their lieutenant. Her devotion to Lady Artemis was somewhat humbling, and she was the most worthy of them to carry their highest rank.

Focusing, Atlanta's bow was slipped around her quiver smoothly, and her long hunting knives flashed as she met her first opponent. Her instincts were honed after long months spent hunting similar war-bands, and so the cyclops who turned to her, partially with fear and partially out of an unreachable goal to smash her to paste, instead found his single eye pierced by the twelve-inch blade. She was spinning through the golden dust before it could fall, blades outstretched, and two more enemies fell. A shining silver arrow passed next to her bicep from behind, and the hellhound fell without her even glancing at it.

Their appearance was rallying the demigods, who'd no doubt needed the reprieve, but Atlanta had no attention to spare for the children. She had to push forward before Zoë was hemmed in, though the enemy was having a nearly impossible time of such a feat. The older girl was whirling and spinning, ducking and sliding and none of the monsters were gaining traction against her. Twin blades were in constant motion and sowing death among the ranks.

Behind her and to the left, Atlanta recognized the guttural roar of Clarisse as she smashed into the enemy with abandon. While many of the Hunters had little true attachment to the individual demigods from camp, these were Clarisse's friends and siblings. She'd done an admirable job of falling into formation so far, however now that she was able to fight and defend her old home, she was taking to the task with fury. She was also the only handmaiden with a spear and shield, and the extended reach was allowing her to skewer enemies before the intervention of their archers became necessary.

From the beginning Atlanta always knew she'd make a fine addition to their sisterhood, and she'd been right.

Their momentum continued for several moments, though it faltered slightly when they noticed that from the rear of the enemy lines a massive figure was moving forward to dominate the battlefield. The Aethiopian Drakon from the old world, thirty feet long with bright green scales and the body of a serpent raised onto only two front limbs, it's serpentine body dragging the ground. The monsters were trying to get out of it's way, but it was crushing them in it's charge.

Zoë saw the creature as well, and started to give the command for what looked to be a crescent formation based on the way she raised her blades and crossed them at a slight angle. However, before she could complete the motion the sky churned, darkening further than before, and a thunderous crack filled the air – a massive bolt of lightning forking from the sky to shear straight through the beast. It stumbled, scales smoking, and then another bolt larger than the first hammered into it faster than the eye could follow.

It was dead, turned to dust among the roaring cheers of the campers who all likely had their ears ringing similar to Atlanta.

Zoë paused, giving a slight smirk along with a shrug, and spun once more to face the enemy. Nodding to herself, Atlanta engaged once more as well. They had the advantage of momentum and now was not the time to slack off. She assumed the lightning was the work of the idiot child of the King who liked to spy on Gods, but it didn't matter in the end. The Drakon was dead and the battle would continue.

Millennia of hardship and loss allowed her to firmly ignore the flashes of orange t-shirts she occasionally saw being trampled underfoot through the gaps in the enemy.

'May they find a peace in death which life never offered,' she thought solemnly.


Upon the slope of Mount Othrys, the battle was only just beginning.

The addition of Krios seemed as if it may even the odds slightly, but Zeus found himself more annoyed than surprised. If they truly thought that the three of them were enough to overcome himself and his two sons, then they were more foolish than he could possibly have imagined. Their presence was not so terrifying to him as they likely thought it should've been.

Still, he did have to give them some form of credit, grudging as it was. Zeus could feel their preparations clearly, and they'd managed to use mortal science to counter his storm slightly. They were using some type of 'lightning rods' charged with positive energy and set off to the sides of the battlefield, which were drawing the negative charges from the clouds above to force the lightning from the storm to fall around them, rather than among them. It wouldn't save them from his Master Bolt, but it was enough so that they were mostly protected from the wild strikes from the sky.

It was both genius and frustrating. He was expected, and his enemies were counting on his appearance. They'd prepared for him, rather than flee from him, and that meant that things weren't going to be so easy as he'd hoped. It meant that they believed they had a contingency which would see to their victory. He'd have to be cautious.

Ares however…

"Is that all you've got to offer?" he snarled, his blade clashing with Hyperion with a ringing force as he leapt headlong at his adversary. "I was born in the fires of war! The entire world falls at my feet, and all of you who hold a weapon do so only at my mercy! The weakness in your heart shows your cowardice, even as the will to fight drains from your every thought!"

The younger God's sunglasses melted from the heat as his own eyes ignited with a blood-red flame, and he heaved forward, forcing Hyperion to one knee, unmoved as the golden flames licked at his flesh and smoke rolled from his hair. His strength was immense, and as the divine world erupted into war, his own influence was only growing to match. The battles in the sea and the fight in the demigod camp, the countless conflicts spread across the mortal world, all of it feeding the brutal strength of the God of War.

"To place your hand upon the hilt of a sword is to bow to my authority!" he continued, and Zeus could feel his influence spreading across the battlefield with every word. A heavy, oppressive cloak of almost hypnotic command. "In this battle, I am your Lord and Master, and when you face me, you do so on your knees, as a servant to my will!"

Hyperion's laughter roared loudly as he heaved upward, only a single hand on his sword enough to throw the younger God off of him. Zeus grimaced slightly, realizing that his son may just be outmatched, but was unable to focus further as Iapetus moved to engage him once more, the large, armored Titan staring at him with a near-manic look.

Zeus unbuttoned his suit jacket to stop it tearing but otherwise remained unmoved. Insanity may be enough to convince his enemy of his own victory, however it certainly wouldn't save him. "Stand down and be granted a merciful death. This will be your only opportunity. Begging for it later will not move me."

Iapetus took only one more step before he felt the sting of the Master Bolt, his roar of agony at the clap of thunder like music to the King. Zeus inhaled deeply through his nose, watching as his enemy once more tried to remove himself from the mountain-side. "Stay down and accept your fate. You will not enjoy what comes next."

The shining form of Krios' ram entered his field of view from the left, but as fast as the creature was, Zeus merely backhanded it over the side of the mountain. It would return, he knew, but it was of little consequence. The creations of Astraeus were much more formidable. The ram had not enough energy to move him from his path.

Zeus glanced to his right, and frowned as he watched Hermes zipping around Krios with a blurring speed, his sword in one hand and caduceus in the other. He moved in close, striking the Titan in the back with the blunt weapon, before darting out of reach with an amused laugh. Foolish and dangerous.

"Hermes!" he snapped. "Stop acting like a child and strike down your enemy. This is no time for your games."

Anger surged through the King as we watched his sons, and more than a small shred of disappointment. Ares was being overconfident and Hermes was toying with his enemy, thinking it all a game. Fools. They believed that because their father and their uncles, because Astraeus could stand so firmly against the Titans that they were unworthy of being true enemies. They couldn't be more wrong.

The balance had merely shifted in their favor, as rulers of the world, and so of course they had more power at a fist glance than the Titans. However, as easily as he was smacking around Iapetus, there was a time when their roles were reversed. When Krios nearly destroyed Astraeus with his bare hands and when Atlas broke Hades against the side of a mountain – Poseidon's interference all that saved him from death.

The Olympians once stood where the Titans found themselves now, and they still won. Through tactics and perseverance, through skill at arms and a willingness to die for their cause, they won. It was only through victory that they laid claim to their current strength, and the Titans knew that perfectly well. They were not to be trifled with, and his children would be wise to take them seriously.

Iapetus was back, his spear lashing out and Zeus was forced to focus on his own enemy. There was nothing for it. He would have to pound the lesson into his children's thick skulls another time. For now, he couldn't afford to lose this ground.

Twisting the Master Bolt which was still in it's javelin form, Zeus parried his opponent's weapon and dove at him, grabbing the edge of his armor only to launch him toward Hyperion, who looked as if he were walking Ares down step by step in a dazzling display of swordsmanship. The Titans collided briefly, and Zeus was upon them. A crackling sound filled the air as his own weapon swept among them. He turned the sword of Hyperion aside just as he shoved Ares out of the way, dodging the spear of Iapetus and using the opposite end of his javelin to parry the strike.

Now two on one, Zeus unleashed the torrential downpour of rain and driving wind, his weapon a blur of motion as he forced his enemies to contend with him. They could barely see through the sheets of water, though they didn't effect Zeus at all, and the wind was causing them to lose their perfect balance just slightly. Gusting and halting, they would lean into the wind only to falter as it stopped, and their stumble allowed him to continue his work among them.

A step out of place and Hyperion snarled as he stumbled once more. Striking forward, the Master Bolt clapped again as it struck his enemy with it's terrible might and launched him away. The roar of thunder drowned out the roar of pain, and the weapon slapped into Zeus' palm once more in time to catch the spear of his original enemy.

"Strike him down, Ares!" he roared over the wind, even as he out-maneuvered Iapetus once more and kicked him toward the floundering Krios, whom Hermes still wasn't taking seriously. He couldn't see if Ares performed as he asked, but the clang of metal and the lack of any type of energy release told him enough. Ares hadn't moved fast enough, and Hyperion still lived.

Aggravation ripped a growl from the King's throat, realizing that he was nearly going to have to fight a three-to-one battle if he wanted to win this. Hermes was struggling to keep his original pace due to the rain and wind – a reason Zeus had originally held off from unleashing his storm – but if he was fast enough to have struck Krios so thoroughly before, he should've killed him.

The ram was back, goddammit.

Having had enough of the useless creature, Zeus surged his energy into the Bolt and it turned white-hot in a single heartbeat. His aim was true, and the useless constellation shattered like glass beneath the oppressive power of his strike. The entire mountain was lit for an instant, and the Bolt had continued through the creature to bite a sizable chuck from the stone beyond it. The clap of thunder from the strike was biblical, and the vibrations from the noise alone shook stones loose to tumble down the mountainside.

Zeus could feel his iron control slipping alongside his anger, and if not for the delicate nature of the sky atop the mountain, he had the urge to just erase the damn thing. Electricity was dancing over his body, and his Bolt was humming steadily as his own energy began to climb. It was time to end this, before he truly lost his grip and destroyed a chunk of the western coastline.

"Stand aside, Hermes," he commanded. "If you cannot strike down your enemy then this battle is beyond you."

He was met with a brief laugh as Hermes once more dodged the slower strikes of Krios, who was frowning but was looking extremely focused. He was timing him, learning the God's movements, and was appearing to struggle, though Zeus realized it was merely a ploy. Hermes was in much greater danger than even Zeus had originally realized, and as stoic as he attempted to remain, a thrill of concern shot through him.

He was distracted briefly as Iapetus once more attempted to engage him with his spear, but even as he turned his eyes away he caught the movement. Something surged out of the shadows of the large stones on the mountainside – a humanoid figure in dark armor – and within a second Hermes had his arms bound to his sides. For the space of a single breath Zeus feared it might be his oldest brother, however he recognized immediately that it wasn't the case.

Krios did not hesitate, and the intricate spear he favored struck out before Zeus could do more than shout a warning. It pierced the chest of his son fully and directly in the center, and Hermes seemed to freeze in place. The storm within Zeus was building even as he watched one of his beloved sons open his mouth in confusion, golden ichor gushing down his front to puddle among the rain.

A heartbeat, and then a massive flash of golden light as Hermes disappeared, his sword and caduceus clattering to the ground.

Zeus heard a roar from behind him as Ares realized that his brother had fallen, but it was drowned out by the thunder in his own veins. Overhead the clouds twisted into something grotesque, turning a pitch black lit by constant lightning, and Zeus immediately released the control he had on his own energy. Wrath and fury rushed through his body like molten steel, and his enemies would die.

Krios spit on the ground, kicking the weapons of Hermes out of his way and with the God gone, the dark figure revealed himself to be Atlas, already free and wearing a ring which pulsed with pure darkness. He'd been hiding in the shadows themselves, much like Hades was known to do.

"Blood for blood," Krios growled, his energy surging with cold blue starlight.

"Yes," Zeus agreed lowly as the skies thundered with his rage. "This mountain will drown in it."


Camp Half-Blood was a shithole, Astrum decided immediately.

A grouping of brightly decorated Cabins surrounding a campfire. Some toys and games, stables and a glorified pond. Where was the infrastructure? The Temples? Where were the governing buildings and the bathhouses which Athens had been so famous for? Where was the temple for the Oracle, the priests and caretakers? The shipyard?

Where were the roads? Where was the city?

Where was Greece?

For someone who bitched and whined about the fall of Greece, what exactly had his counterpart done to rekindle that flame here? Of course it couldn't actually be recreated, but where was the pride in their heritage? Rome learned much from the Greeks, and their heritage was quite noble, despite it's overall weakness. They were artisans and patrons of the beauty and majesty, building structures which lasted for an age. Exquisite craftsmen who were capable of drawing incredible things from small beginnings. There was none of that history here.

Hemera didn't have to worry about him "destroying what was built", because nothing had been built. It was pathetic – the fauns lived better than this. She must've meant that metaphorically.

There was a battle happening nearby, but Astrum really wasn't interested in it. Instead, he decided to peek through the cabins to see the living conditions of the Greek soldiers. They didn't look like much, but perhaps…

The nearest one belonged to Neptune, but after a glance inside he found himself very underwhelmed. It had some beds. That was it. Sure it smelled like the sea and was decorated like a damn aquarium, but it had no substance. He moved on quickly, passing the cabin dedicated to his counterpart which promised more of the same most likely, and instead moved to the large house with pale blue paint.

It had more to offer, he supposed, though it was very basic. Their infirmary looked like something you might find in an orphanage in the 1940's, and he didn't like ping-pong. He snooped around, finding an office which smelled like an animal lived in it, and an attic with a rotting corpse which was half decayed. Probably someone who crawled up among the junk and was forgotten about, or maybe a criminal of sorts. They didn't seem to have any facilities to jail people.

All in all, his immediate perception had been spot on. It was a shithole, unfit for offspring of the Gods.

The clanging of swords and spears was still a distant noise, though he was resolved to ignore it. He would have done so quite happily if he hadn't felt the flare of starlight like a beacon across his senses. A moment later, and he felt the presence of Leo. Now that was interesting.

A flicker of his energy, and the "camp" twisted past him. Astrum found himself on a hill overlooking a small battle of what looked to be the reserve force. There were less than fifty armed soldiers, most of them young, however they were joined by the Hunt as well. Even more interesting.

Leo was shining brightly, tearing into the group of monsters with abandon, and naturally none of them could do so much as stand within his immediate presence. He was weak, however. Smaller than normal and not burning nearly as hot. Tracing the energy which was feeding him, Astrum found it's source and it made sense. A demigod...and not just any demigod…

She was a part of him, born before the separation, and that could only mean…

Atlanta.

That changed things.

He was walking even as he gently pried control of Leo from her grasp, and he could feel her fear as she seemingly lost control of the Guardian. It didn't matter, she would be safe. That was a point of agreement between himself and his counterpart, perhaps the only one. She was all that was truly left of their original self, and she would be protected. Atlanta may have been born of Greece, but she was his.

Memories of her early life were faded, nearly gone, as his counterpart attempted to keep them all to himself during the separation, but he hadn't succeeded. Astrum remembered her birth, and her stubbornness, and her grace. These things couldn't be removed from him so easily, even as he struggled to remember her mother's face.

He ignored the shocked look from the centaur who was barking commands at the soldiers – Chiron, then – and ignored the childish faces which stared at him as he passed them. Their shield wall was decent for children, he supposed, but he walked through their ranks from the back and they all stumbled out of his way.

The monsters didn't hesitate to attempt to strike at him, but they were turned to ash instantly. Amidst the battlefield, he glanced around and saw that the majority of the handmaidens were to his right, which meant Atlanta was there somewhere. Leo was further ahead, nearer the back of the invading force. Good.

The Guardian flared white hot, growing in size and strength until he was more than three times the size of a natural lion.

"Graeci back away," Astrum commanded, shooting a look at Chiron. The centaur took the hint and sounded the full retreat. Even as they began to move, the monsters attempting to follow, Astrum merely glanced at Leo. "Kill them all."

The sharp, chuffing roar rolled over the battlefield and the lion exploded into movement, tearing through the enemy ranks with light and heat and raw energy. The monsters tried to flee toward the demigods, but they would have to pass him first. His blade appeared in his right hand with a thought, and he stuck it point-first into the dirt at his feet. They could challenge him at their own peril.

From a distance behind him he knew the Greeks were watching, though that didn't bother him much. Their battle was over and if they were smart they would be tending to their wounded. The monsters, by contrast, were having a very bad day. They could face Leo in all his wrath and fury, or they could face a God.

Astrum found a deep amusement as they all decided to charge his Guardian. It wouldn't work, but it was perhaps the best of their options. There was no escape and no surrender – they could merely choose the manner of their death.

A flash of light to his immediate right caused him to glance over, and his face twisted into a brief smile as the Greek form of his daughter appeared there. She was staring at him in confusion, and was struggling to hold onto her Greek aspect in the face of him. After a moment that struggle was lost, and her image wavered to reveal a taller girl, perhaps sixteen, with darker red hair and sharper features.

"Astrum," she muttered, glancing around with a slightly nervous expression.

"Diana," he greeted in return.

"So this is what he meant, when he said aid for me would come from Rome?" she questioned, seemingly to herself.

Astrum didn't know who she was talking about, but it didn't matter in the end. He'd come to her aid regardless. She along with Atlanta were perhaps the only true attachments he would allow himself, a small measure of sentiment he couldn't imagine being parted from. He would stand with them even if Chaos itself was their enemy.

He wouldn't admit that, probably not even to the two of them, but he wasn't weak enough to feel the need to lie to himself.

Leo was still sowing death and destruction, and the enemy was in full retreat. They wouldn't make it far, however, because Leo wouldn't stop until they were dead. Even if they fled to the city, he would follow and turn them all to ash for daring to stand against what was his.

"Aid for you will always come from Rome," he said finally, the closest he would get to any kind of admission. She understood his intention even if he couldn't really voice the words for it. She'd always understood him, maybe even a little better than he understood himself. Diana had picked out the differences between himself and his counterpart immediately, and she knew which parts of him came to Rome and which were left behind.

A sharp, small grin flashed across her face, but it was gone quickly. "We should be careful how we speak here."

Astrum scoffed. "No need," he said in response. "The Greeks and Romans were separated due to infighting, but even this reserve force couldn't hold a single cohort of the legion. They aren't a threat."

Diana laughed lightly, glancing at him. "This isn't the reserve force."

"What?" he asked, turning to look over the haggard and run down group which nearly got decimated by a small platoon of monsters. As their enemies were put to flight, they were all gathering around Chiron and what he assumed were the medics, while the Hunters were doing what they could to help administer aid.

"There are a lot more, though they live for most of the year with their mortal parents scattered across the country. The bulk of the camp is only here for a few months in the summer." she explained.

It took a heartbeat for that to sink in, and then…

"This is the primary force meant to protect the base of Olympus?" he asked incredulously. "The Greeks are meant to be the last line of defense for the city. They should be here year round. How the hell are they meant to muster if an attack is imminent? Taxis?"

Diana only laughed again, seemingly surprised at his own incredulity.

Scrubbing his face slightly, and realizing that his work was most definitely cut out for him, Astrum shook his head and turned to approach the bedraggled Greeks. Chiron noticed his approach first, though some of the children hadn't ever taken their eyes off him. As Diana followed, he saw her handmaidens stand to attention, though two of them were rather roughly jerked into place. Must be newbies.

"Ladies," he greeted them first – their importance in his mind rather higher than even the demigods. They likely could've handled the monsters on their own. Finally turning to the centaur, he nodded. "Chiron."

"My lord," came the rather subdued response.

"Casualties?" he questioned, and ignored the wince given by the old trainer. He was far too soft to attend the battlefield. It was a very relevant and legitimate question, and one a commanding officer should expect from their superior.

"Several, though we don't have an accurate count yet."

"Understood," he said, looking over the curious faces of the Greeks. "Do you have a way of contacting the other soldiers?"

"Campers," Diana corrected mildly. Only his own self-discipline kept his lip from curling at the distinction.

"I...I can, I suppose, though they are probably scattered around for the Christmas break from school," Chiron answered hesitantly.

"Do so," Astrum ordered, unbothered by the mention of the mortal holiday. "From this point on they can expect to stay within the camp until the conclusion of the war." His words seemed to bring a tension to those gathered, though he ignored it. "Which among you is the ranking...camper?"

"Um...Perseus?" a young girl questioned, staring at him with some confusion. She was perhaps thirteen, with dark hair that was cut short and decorative armor carrying the symbol of Jupiter.

"Leave it, Thals," another boy grunted unhappily – this one a blond kid who was slightly older. "Now he's acting like he doesn't even know us. Typical of the Gods."

There was a pause of some sort, almost as if the world was holding it's breath. The Hunters had tensed, Chiron was standing ramrod-straight, and the boy was staring at him with obvious hostility. "What did you say?" Astrum asked quietly.

"He...he didn't mean anything by it, sir," Chiron said quickly. "Emotions are high and, as you know, the battlefield can sometimes cause people to forget themselves."

"Forget themselves, or forget their loyalties?" he questioned, still staring at the child. The boy's thoughts were laid bare, a churning cloud of blame and anger directed at Astrum and at Diana. At Mercury and at Neptune, and even at Jupiter himself

"He will be reprimanded, I assure you," Chiron said in response. "Perhaps a better explanation is in order, just so that there isn't any confusion…?"

"And explanation of what, precisely?" Astrum asked roughly. "An explanation of how to act in the face of an Olympian, perhaps, or an explanation of exactly what happens to a child of the Gods who forsakes their loyalties? In Rome, we call that treason. I can see it, sense it within your heart – a hatred and vitriol for Olympus and your King."

"So-" the boy started to say, but he was interrupted.

"Enough, Luke!" Chiron snapped furiously, and it seemed to be a rare occurrence, because the entire group of children jumped at the sound. "Do not forget who it is that you address! Be silent!"

"I will say this one time, Graeci, and hear me well," Astrum said lowly. "In the midst of a war against our ancient foes, treason has only a single punishment. You are all of you children of Olympus, and that is the most noble title this world has to offer – none stand above the children of the Gods, except the Gods themselves. However, to forsake that great honor is to cast aside it's protections as well. If you, as divine beings, do not stand with Olympus, then you stand against her. There is no gray area."

He turned his eyes upon 'Luke', then. "Go count the dead, and identify each of them accurately so that their parents can be informed. When you've finished, prepare their burial shrouds so that they may be laid to rest with all of the honor that can be afforded to a loyal soldier of Olympus, all of whom have doubtlessly opened their eyes to the green fields of Elysium. Do not show your face to me until you've finished."

The boy was breathing heavily, still wearing a rather angry look, but slowly he trudged back toward the battlefield.

"Funerary rites will be performed in two days at sundown," Astrum said solemnly, realizing that for many of these children, death on the battlefield must be a relatively new concept. "There is no higher honor which can ever be achieved, than that which your fallen brethren have won. Laudate victores mortuos."

Some of them looked upset or saddened by his words, and he noticed a small blonde girl in the back crying. They weren't soldiers – Diana was correct, he supposed, about that – but there was nothing he could offer them to ease their minds. This was a harsh and cold reality, and while he certainly wasn't one to purposefully cause harm to grieving children, he also couldn't be their source of comfort. The disparity between their positions would only be insulting.

"Until the fallen are laid to rest, my subject will patrol the borders of this camp so that you may see to your injuries and to your grief. In the meantime, you may rest safe in the knowledge that, despite the lack of a barrier around this location, nothing will be capable of crossing it's borders," he continued. "Know that this assault will not go unanswered. You will have an opportunity to strike back at our enemies for the harm they have caused you. That can be arranged after the final rites."

There it was. That spark within several of them, mostly the older Greeks, which ignited at the thought of vengeance for this assault. They wanted to return the favor, and he would make it so. The time for a defensive posture in this war was over. The moment to take the fight to the enemy was quickly approaching.

A tall, dark haired boy stepped forward, his face lined with sweat and dirt, and caked with golden dust from his fallen enemies. A warrior. "I'd like to volunteer to lead the assault, sir," he said firmly, and his eyes held a certain ferocity to them that would have served him well in Rome.

"Your name?" Astrum asked. He didn't hesitate, despite the fact that many of the other campers seemed to view him as 'Perseus', who should by rights already know his name. He was sharp, then, and had recognized the difference in him which the others overlooked.

"Mark Adams, sir, son of Ares and Counselor for Cabin 6," he responded.

A son of Mars...he should've known.

"Very well, assuming that there isn't a pressing issue which would disqualify you, you may see me after the fallen are laid to rest. It is Greek tradition, I understand, to consult your Oracle before setting forth. We will arrange that with Chiron when the time is right. In the meantime, aid the wounded and get everyone back to camp. Prepare a temporary resting place for the victorious dead, and see to it that all of the necessities are taken care of. If you wish to lead, then do so through actions rather than words." Astrum said firmly.

"Yes sir," the boy answered.

Giving Chiron a brief nod, Astrum turned away and walked over to join Diana and her handmaidens once more. "They will recover, and as unfortunate as it is, they will be stronger for it," she said upon his approach. "More prepared and more disciplined."

"They will," he agreed. "The fault for this lies in part with myself and my counterpart. They should not have been allowed to be so spread out in a time of war, their mortal parents be damned. Every Greek demigod should be here and on alert, and perhaps it would have saved lives today. That oversight will be corrected immediately." Taking notice of the girls in formation next to her, Astrum allowed a small smile at them. "Zoë, Atlanta, despite the circumstances it's good to see you after so long."

It'd been decades since he saw the Hunt, and there were a few new faces while the older girls were far more familiar to him. Still, it was his daughter that his gaze lingered upon. He'd never quite shared the same closeness with her as his other half, though not for lack of a desire for it. Astrum merely found it much easier to stay distant rather than place himself in a position where he may be forced to reveal just how much of a weakness she could be for him.

He had few weaknesses, and those which remained he kept well hidden purposefully.

"You as well, milord," Zoë responded, while Atlanta tilted her head with a tiny smile. She kept her distance as well, painful as it was, though he felt hers was likely due to his differences from the one she regularly called father. Her connection was rooted in Greece, and his counterpart had tried to steal all of her from him. It made their relationship perhaps more distant than even he preferred, though there was no helping it.

"I understand the need for your presence today, but Jupiter won't appreciate your flaunting of his rules like this," Diana said quietly. "Especially if you plan to continue doing so."

Astrum waved her off. "There are larger things at play which even he must bow to. I'm not here at my own discretion, and as I understand he either has been informed, or will be soon. Either way, while my counterpart is busy in the sea I am to assume his duties alongside my own."

Diana raised her brows in apparent surprise. "That is...interesting."

"It's annoying," he corrected, and he ignored her smirk. "However, I may have need of you and your handmaidens soon, if you're willing. I meant what I said earlier. It is beyond time we strike at our enemies."

"Of course," she responded immediately. "Do you know the nature of the assault?"

"I do," he said. "It will be two-fold, with a quiet task for the Greeks, and a rather loud task for Rome, which will act as both a sweeping victory for Olympus and hide the more secretive nature of the Greeks' movements. There are things I must do before we can begin, but within the next week I will send word through my subjects for you to meet me in Rome."

"My Hunt performs better in the quiet, actually," she informed him, rolling her eyes.

"Not this time," he responded. "This task...it hinges on several things going right, but if I can get it all lined out...it will be dangerous. For you and I especially, and yet I can trust no one else to be at my side in this."

Her bright, silver gaze held a quiet ferocity. "And the payoff?"

Astrum couldn't help the slight grin which slipped through his practiced stoicism. "We close the final loophole, and we leave our enemies no safe ground to flee to."

Diana laughed quietly. "Alaska," she guessed.

Her laughter was short lived, however as something in the world seemed to twitch. Astrum felt it, a change, and then a hollow emptiness in the laws of nature. It was something he'd felt before, but only during the first Titanomachy when he was very young. It was…the energy washed over them, invisible but familiar and crying out from the west, and the world was suddenly bereft of an integral piece of itself.

"What is that…no, it isn't...?" Diana asked quietly, her eyes opened wide in horror, and even if she didn't understand fully, she knew. Her tears gathered immediately, her eyes blinking them away as she seemed to take a deep, shuddering breath.

There was a thudding in his head as he recognized the source, and for the first time in a very long time, he was truly enraged. Mercury...he'd seen him as a child, mischievous and joyful, had witnessed as he took his throne with pride. As he took his place on Olympus and called to him the misfits of the world. Travelers and beggars, thieves and merchants. Those who didn't have a home found one with him, and he blessed them for their patronage.

"Stay here," Astrum muttered to Diana. "Ladies, shield your eyes." Only after making sure they'd done so, Astrum assumed his divine form and launched himself westward. The Titans would pay in blood.


Author's Notes: Chapter 19, though it's been a long time coming. Had to take a break from writing for a bit due to some personal issues with work, but updates will be coming again now.

This chapter was meant to show the conclusion of the fight at Othrys, but that will have to be CH 20 because this is already well over 9k words as it is. A decent chapter, if not my best as I was struggling to get back into the rhythm of writing again after like 2 months without doing so.

I can already anticipate some of the questions, but more info will be coming soon. I just want to keep this note short and let everyone know that updates will be resuming every 1-2 weeks hopefully, and my other stories will start getting updates as well. They are still so short that there isn't much substance to them yet.
As always, review if you want to, and don't if you don't. Thanks for reading.