Ch45

The camp had suffered a lot of casualties despite all the preparations but thankfully the children of Hecate knew how to use healing magic. Annabeth had spent most of her time helping heal the wounded walking around and helping those that needed it but between the children of Apollo and Hecate she wasn't needed

She cleaned her brow with a towel as she sat down on a chair as she watched the children of Hecate cast healing spells on the wounded. Against everything we won. She had to admit Hecate's Cabin had helped a lot in the victory, the casualties might have been larger had it not been for their help.

As she made her way to the infirmary she saw various children of Hecate having fun and even showing some magic tricks to some other cabins. The camp in general seemed to have accepted them with open arm and the children of Hecate seemed to honestly be happy there.

Lady Hecate I promise I'll do my part to make them feel welcome. She had a lot to make up but she would do her part to make up for what she did.

She found Clarisse sitting beside Chris Rodriguez and surprisingly Mr. D. "Well I did what I could," Mr. D said. "Just let him rest and he should be fine."

Clarisse nodded. "Thank you," she said softly.

The god sighed and the room leaving her alone with Clarisse. "I can't believe your back."

The daughter of Ares smiled. "It'll take more than some volcano to kill me wise girl." She paused and turned to Chris. "I was out cold on a special island for a while. A nice girl helped me recover, I almost didn't make it." Clarisse paused. "I saw a lot of things and thought a lot of things over."

"I'm sorry," she muttered.

Clarisse raised an eyebrow. "What for?"

She shifted where she stood. "If it weren't for my pride you wouldn't have been hurt."

To her surprise Clarisse got up and hugged her. "I'm proud that you overcame your pride."

She teared up as she hugged Clarisse back. "I'll do my best to make things right." Pulling away she looked at Chris Rodriguez. "I hope he gets better. I um should go see my siblings."

She exited the cabin and found Alabaster Torrington and his sister leading some of their siblings. "Bring more medical supplies to the Apollo Cabin an don't forget to clean up any spells left over," Alabaster said.

"Uh hey," she said awkwardly.

Lou smiled. "Hello Annabeth are you feeling ok?"

"Y-Yeah," She rubbed her head and looked at the two children of Hecate. Swallowing the pride inside of her she looked up at Alabaster. "I'm sorry for treating you and your family like crap. You guys helped save the camp and many other people. Thank you." She didn't know what else to say but she wanted to get it all out. "You and your are more than welcome at camp."

"Thank you Annabeth we appreciate your apology," Lou said calmly. "Right Al?"

The son of Hecate looked at her and nodded. "I look forward to any future battles we may have together."

"Likewise," she said. Deep down she knew Alabaster was a calculating individual, he would make a good friend or a fearsome enemy though to be honest she had come to realize in her own way that her feud with Alabaster and his family was very petty.

As she walked around the camp she felt a strange presence. To her surprise she found her mother beneath a tree. "Hello Annabeth."

Her eyes widened as she did a polite inclination. "Mother!" Staring into her mother's gaze her stomach turned thinking of all that had happened. "I'm sorry." She had so much to say but in the end she could only say that.

Athena looked at her calmly her gaze betraying no emotion. "Hubris is a flaw of my children. I hope you can learn from your mistakes and your prejudices."

Her eyes began to water as her gaze shifted to the ground. "I just wanted to make you proud."

"It is normal for a child to want to bring glory to their parent." Athena turned and looked in the distance where Alabaster Torrington and the other children of Hecate were guiding in the reconstruction of the camp. "Hecate and Nemesis are fighting with Olympus, yet others are not as devout. They and their children have long been disrespected."

Her heart sank as she thought of all the times she looked down on the children of minor gods. "I'm sorry."

"We cannot change the past," Athena said. "We can only confront the future. Be prepared Annabeth the camp will need all the help it can get." With that she disappeared in a flash of light.

That evening she was chatting with Clarisse and Bianca by the firepit as they discussed what had happened to each other. Clarisse talked about meeting Calypso on the island of Ogygia while Bianca recounted what had happened when she was captured.

"Then he stuck his tongue down my throat," Bianca said softly her body shivering in disgust.

She stared at the girl in shock. Luke how could you do such a thing? A shiver went down her spine as she fought the urge to vomit.

"That bastard!" Clarisse spat as she slammed her dagger into her chair. "I'm going to kill him for that!"

He went over an placed a hand on Bianca's shoulder. "Don't worry I'm sure Artemis will gladly accept you back."

"I know," Bianca sighed. "It's just I still feel his tongue at mouth at times." She shivered as pain spread across her face. "To think my brother would idolize a guy like that?"

"He can be very convincing," she muttered. Deep down she knew Luke could use his charisma for bad things. Who knows he would probably manipulate me and Thalia if given the chance.

It was then she noticed Clarisse glaring at a person in the distance. She turned around and saw it was Daedalus who was speaking with Chiron and Medea while Icarus flew in the air above them in his mistform. "He's still here?"

"I'm so tempted to run my spear through him," Clarisse said coldly. "I don't care how much he helped… Chris didn't deserve that."

"Come on lets just rest for now," she said calmly. "We won this battle we should relax a bit."

Clarisse nodded. "Yeah we have a lot of things to do."


Hecate could tell Hera was not pleased as Medea recounted all of her dealings with the Triumvirate Holdings. No Hera wasn't displeased she was furious.

"I could have your head for this," Hera said coldly. "This is beyond treason!"

Medea's gaze went downward. "If it will clean Lady Hecate's name of any wrong doing then I shall gladly be punished."

"That is one way," she said calmly. "Lady Hera this is war and with the knowledge of the enemy's financial backers, perhaps you could take action? I'm sure Medea is more than willing to hand over any and all information about them"

Hera's eyes looked Medea over like a general analyzing a map. "The information better be accurate."

"It will be I swear," Medea said firmly. With a snap of her fingers she produced a pile of papers and folders in her hands. She presented them to the Queen of Olympus with a polite bow. "Here is everything I swear. I'll answer any questions as well."

Hera took the documents. "We'll be in contact Hecate." She looked at her calmly her gaze betraying a bit of respect. "You did well do help defend the children of Olympus, even my husband is grateful for what you did."

"We are allies it is only natural for us to help each other," she said with a diplomatic smile. "Medea next summer everything will come to an end. Make sure everyone is properly trained and prepared."

Medea bowed. "Yes my lady."

With that Medea disappeared and another image appeared. "Ah Lady Hecate it has been a while," Daedalus said. He then turned to Hera and bowed. "To what pleasure do I owe being summoned this evening by the Queen of Olympus?"

"Consider this an informal affair," Hera said politely. "We have something we would like to discuss with you."

It was then she felt another powerful presence approach. She turned and bowed as she saw Hades wearing a traditional tunic.

Daedalus' posture was rigid yet to his credit he did not flinch or back away as he met Hades' gaze. "I see. I take it my time is up?"

"You've been fleeing death for too long," Hades said in a matter of fact tone. "But that is not why I am here today?"

Daedalus genuinely looked confused. "What do you mean?"

"You see Daedalus the news of my brother's hidden secret has reached Olympus and my husband is not happy," Hera said. "I should've known you would try to bend the rules brother. Now your son raises his sword against Olympus."

Hades' posture turned rigid as he emitted a dark aura his gaze burning with cold fury. "Watch your tongue sister." The Lord of the Underworld gave off a dangerous aura.

Hera turned to Daedalus. "I'll make it simple for you Daedalus. You are more valuable to the camp and us alive. That is why we want to make a deal with you."

Daedalus folded his arms. "What kind of deal?" The inventor folded his arms as he looked at Hera and Hades cautiously.

Hades cleared his throat. "The camp can use more help. If you help the camp and train the demigods I'll give you a lighter sentence and you shall be judged by people of your choosing when you return to my realm."

The tension in the room was tense as they all looked at each other. Daedalus chuckled. "I didn't know you cooperated so well with the other Olympians Lord Hades."

Hades' posture turned rigid yet Hera spoke up. "I will speak up for my brother here and calm my husband who is not happy that a child of the Big Three is now on our father's side. What do you say Daedalus?"

Daedalus paused and looked at the flames before turning to her. "Can I be with my son?"

She nodded. "You can if you wish."

"Then it's a deal," Daedalus declared. "I'll help train your campers and keep them safe!"


Percy wasn't expecting his father to come barge in on his birthday but it was a decent chat. "Is Oceanus still going to side with Kronos?"

His father turned around and paused. "I doubt it, but I'm not certain. He is a being who will always look after his own interests." The scent of seawater drifted into his room. "But I'll do my best to make sure he doesn't do an enemy."

He looked up at his father. "If you need help with him I'll do it."

Poseidon's gaze seemed to peer deep inside of him. "You must be prepared for what is yet to come. Lady Hecate and I both have agreed to find teachers for you to help you prepare for what is to come." With that his father disappeared leaving behind the faint smell of seawater in his room.

He sighed. "Well that was an eventful birthday."

A tap at his window caught his attention. Looking up he saw Bianca di Angelo and Lou Ellen on the other side of his window. He went over and opened it. "What are you guys doing here?"

"Happy birthday Percy!" Lou said cheerily. "Al will be here later we just wanted to stop by to talk about a few things."

He raised an eyebrow. "A few things?"

"Yeah it's something important." Bianca looked at him awkwardly. "I know it's your birthday and all but I wanted to know if we can talk."

He motioned for her to come in. "Sure. Is it about your brother?"

Bianca shook her head. "No. It's something else. Something that can greatly help you."

"Well come on in there is enough cake for everyone," he said.