Ch21

Ethan sighed as he looked at his bare room in his house. Home sweet home. His father was at work as he usually was leaving him alone for who knew how long.

Sitting on his bed he took off his beaded necklace and looked it over. I've come a long ways. He knew who his mother was and he had grown as a demigod but that didn't stop the feelings of inadequacy inside of him.

Nemesis still doesn't have a throne. She had a Cabin but it rested on the waves, as much as he appreciated having it he wanted his mother to be as recognized just as much as the rest.

I'll be a strong hero just like the myths and make her proud. He looked up at the wall and the picture of him and his grandfather on it. Not all heroes are appreciated. A pang hit his heart as he looked at the picture which showed his grandfather as a young man right before he entered the internment camps.

His grandfather was always there for him when he was younger since his father was out often for work. He was a good man who suffered in life and even was interned when he was a young teenager. World War II affected him as well, in a way they were still dealing with the consequences of his father's internment to this day. The resentment was still strong his own father was still bitter about it, how else would he have attracted the attention of Nemesis?

"Mom I promise to do all I can to recognize you," he muttered before settling in for the evening. More than anything his soul wanted to make her proud, make the world that her what her child could do and make sure she gets the respect she deserves.

I've done enough but I could do more. If only I could get a quest and prove myself as a hero. Alabaster did it and the children of Hecate were slowly gaining more respect but he had to do his part for his mother's glory. If only I could go on a quest to prove myself. He may not have flashy powers like Alabaster and Percy but he was willing to do all it took to prove to the world who his mother was.

That night as soon as he fell asleep he found himself in a large chapel with a pyre with green flames in the middle. "Where am I?"

"Ethan!"

Looking up he saw Percy waving at him, by his side were Chiron and Alabaster. "I take it we aren't all dreaming of the same place?" He asked.

Alabaster shook his head. "This is my mother's place. Chiron insisted on us having an extremely private meeting."

The centaur nodded. "Mr. Torrington here has been assigned a quest and has chosen you both to accompany him if you both wish."

"I'm in," Percy said immediately.

He nodded. "Me too." A part of him swelled with joy, this would be his first quest. Maybe his mother could finally receive the recognition she deserved. I'll show the world what your son can do. Frankly he was also flattered that Percy and Alabaster chose him.

"What's the quest for?" Percy asked.

Chiron folded his arms. "The labyrinth. It has long existed across western civilization and I fear that the enemy may use it against us. Lady Hecate spoke to me in detail of it and how the enemy might be using it."

Alabaster nodded. "We found a few entrances and we'll be exploring them for any potential entrances to camp."

"Sounds interesting," he said.

"You'll both leave when you can," Chiron said. "Make sure to keep this as private as possible. I fear there maybe spies among the campers."

They all nodded. "We'll do our best," Alabaster said firmly. "My aunt had workshops in the labyrinth, it is a difficult place but my mother shall guide us."

He nodded. "Sounds good." Mother I hope you get some honor from this. Pride swelled up inside of him as he looked up at the picture of his grandfather. I'll make you proud too.

Percy was at the camp stables combing Blackjack. "Yo boss glad to see you again," The Pegasi said.

"You too. Be safe ok?" A part of him was still nervous about this new quest but if it was for the good of the camp he would do it, besides he couldn't say no to a friend.

"Hey Percy!" Turning around he saw Lou Ellen her dark hair blew in the wind as she entered the stables with a calm grin on her face.

"Hey Lou. What's up?"

The daughter of Hecate came over and stroked Blackjack's face. "He's so cute."

"Thanks. Want to help brush him?" He handed her the brush and she took it with a wide smile.

Lou began to brush Blackjack, the pegasi neighed in delight. "He's pretty majestic," She said. "Have you flown him yet?"

"A few times." He patted Blackjack's head. "But looks like I'll have to hold up on riding him in the future."

Lou looked at him and smiled. "Don't worry I'll take care of him for you, I like horses and pegasi."

"Thanks." He awkwardly rubbed his head. Lou's eyes were the same as her siblings yet seemed calmer and less intense than Alabaster. "Your brother doing ok?"

"Yeah. He's just getting ready," Lou looked at Blackjack and brushed him. "The few that know about it aren't saying anything, we have so much riding on this."

Her gaze drifted downwards. "A child of Hecate hasn't led a quest in ages. He better not do anything stupid"

"He'll do fine." He patted her on the back trying to reassure her. "If anything me and Ethan will make sure things go smoothly."

Lou looked at him with her deep gaze, looking into her eyes a small part of his fluttered. "Thank you."

He awkwardly shifted where he stood. "Um so you do any spells lately?"

The daughter of Hecate's eyes lit up. "Yeah I've actually been practicing with tarot cards."

"Do you tell the future with them?"

"I can. If you stop by I can give you a reading," Lou said.

He shrugged. "Sure sounds cool."

Lou smiled. "I'm not that big into combat like my brother but I'm pretty good at spell casting and divination, Auntie Medea even taught me a few tricks."

"Have you predicted the future before?"

"Hmm a few times but the future isn't something set in stone," Lou said as she looked at Blackjack and stroked his hair. "At times I just see vague images, glances of what can be. But in the end we have to make our own choices."

The sound of footsteps made them turn. Annabeth Chase looked at them both and frowned. "What are you both doing here?" She asked her gaze hardening as she looked at Lou who had her hand on his arm.

"We are just brushing Blackjack," he said calmly. They stared at each other, he didn't know why but Annabeth Chase acted as if he were her nemesis that she had to prevail against at all cost. "Can we help you with something?"

Annabeth frowned. "I was just going to practice riding with Thalia."

"Well go ahead there are other pegasi," he said politely.

"Hey boss if this girl is trouble we won't let her ride." Blackjack said.

Good to know. But Annabeth wasn't completely pissing him off yet. There was something different about her. Annabeth's eyes were red as if she had been crying and she was gripping what looked like a letter in her hand.

The daughter of Athen turned to Lou her gaze hardening. "Fortune telling will do you know good, why don't you focus on more practical things than predict uncertainty."

Lou's posture turned rigid, the air around her tensed up with an unearthly aura. "You know back in the day even Athena knew the worth of my mother and would not be foolish enough to dismiss her council."

Annabeth rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

He opened his mouth but Lou grabbed his hand and shook her head. "Lets just leave her alone to wallow in her own pride."

Annabeth's brow twitched as she stormed off to one of the Pegasi. She really needs to get that stick out of her ass. "Lou come on lets get dinner."

Lou's eyes lit up. "Yeah lets go."

Hecate watched the waves crash against the shoreline. "He's contacted you too, didn't he?"

Nemesis nodded. "A tempting offer, the Olympians have never carried about me. But given the current circumstances I don't know."

"Our sons will go on a quest together with young Percy Jackson," she said. Frankly she was more than proud of Alabaster, her own son was now leading a quest. Everyone was watching her now, she had to be careful. They both did.

"An interesting boy," Nemesis said.

She nodded. "Very loyal and kind." Her children spoke of Percy and there were benefits for her and Nemesis. Since their children befriended Percy Amphitrite had invited them to some of her parties and a few other important deities have noticed them as well.

"My son is going too," Nemesis said her gaze fixed on the waves. "I feel more eyes on me than ever."

It was then that a powerful presence approached them. In a flash of light Queen Hera stood in front of them in full regalia. "Lady Hera what a pleasure," she said with a bow. Nemesis bowed as well while the Queen of Olympus looked at them both with a calculating gaze.

She cares about the family that is Olympus. Hera was many things but she knew how to make sure Olympus did not falter and knew how to make allies when necessary.

For a second she feared the worse, that their conversations with the Titan Lord had been overheard but she sensed no ill will from the Queen of Olympus.

"Hecate your child will lead his first quest. Nemesis your son will go as well." Hera gripped her staff her face unreadable.

"Our children are more than capable of completing this quest," She said calmly.

Hera snapped her fingers and two silver envelopes appeared in her hand. "The family of Olympus will soon need all the help we can get." She threw the envelopes and they flew gently towards her and Nemesis. "You both are invited to this year's meeting at the solstice."

They both bowed. "Thank you Lady Hera." A pleasant surprise. Normally she wasn't invited to such meetings.

The Queen of Olympus nodded. "Remember whatever he may offer you is never what it seems. Afterall, he is the father of all lies." In a flash of light she was gone leaving her and Nemesis alone.

"She's no fool," Nemesis muttered. "Yet they treat us like second class deities."

She traced the envelope in her hand. "Still this progress, if we play our cards right we'll gain what we want. If we go down the right path we will be victorious and if we do nothing we will gain nothing."

Nemesis only looked to the ground and nodded. "I remember back in the day Zeus would have me execute justice, it's been ages since I did that."

"Well consider yourself lucky most goddesses don't want to be near Zeus." She held the envelope in her hand. "The Queen of Olympus cares about her family. If we play our cards right this can be a good thing."

"We'll see," Nemesis muttered as she looked at the waves. "I have to go."

With a flash of light Nemesis disappeared leaving her alone. Taking a deep breath she teleported herself to one of her abandoned churches. The pyre grew as she approached and waved her hand.

The flames flickered and she saw the dark waters of Oceanus' domain along with two large beings. "Why Hecate what a pleasant surprise," Oceanus said. The old Titan of the sea looked calm, his form was massive larger than anything she had seen before.

"Good evening Lord Oceanus and Lady Tethys."

Tethys looked like a large mermaid but her gaze was cold as the depths and her long hair long strands of seaweed. "Hecate I've sensed your presence near the waves, why didn't you ever pass by to say hello?" Her tone was pleasant yet betrayed accusatory hints.

"My children have needed my guidance more than ever," she said diplomatically. "As a mother I have to make sure no one harms them."

Oceanus chuckled. "You always did care about your children. So tell me to what do we owe this pleasure?"

She gripped her torch tightly. "Well your brother has been recruiting me. He's going to try and resurrect himself it appears."

Oceanus and his wife exchanged a look with each other. So they do know.

"Yes my brother was never one to give up easily," Oceanus said politely.

"Will you be joining?" Tethys asked with a toothy grin.

"I'm undecided," She said politely. "I want recognition for all the years of service that I gave them but I'm still weighing my options. Now your brother says you plan on joining him?"

Oceanus folded his large arms his gaze eyeing her up and down. "I'm also undecided. Kronos is family after all."

She raised an eyebrow. "But if I remember correctly didn't you chose to not fight alongside him?"

Tethys snorted. "Yet look what it got us? Poseidon claims all the credit and our former realm, I don't think its fair. This could be a chance to take what is rightfully ours."

She looked at Oceanus his gaze was unreadable. He always did care about preservation more, if he still cares about it then that is something negotiable.

"Times are changing and we all have our aims," she said diplomatically. "What would you seek if you fought for your brother?"

Oceanus sat calmly before meeting her gaze. "You know during the Second World War Poseidon's forces were overwhelmed in the Pacific by those damn Shinto Dragons. At the time he was mostly focused on Europe, you know who helped him in the Pacific? Us."

The Titan leaned forward his gaze hardening. "Do you know how hard it was to liberate the Mariana Trench? Those damn Shinto took down a lot of my forces, blowing themselves up, but in the end it was secured. Yet in the end what did we get? Not even a thank you."

Tethys nodded. "He gets the Mariana Trench and we lose our men that's not fair. Poseidon has grown way too complacent with us being at the bottom of the sea. Maybe it is time he knew our strength."

She remained calm as she looked at them both. "But a full out war with him would be devastating for your realm and your forces too am I wrong?"

"When my brother rises he'll eventually help," Oceanus said. "He'll deal with Olympus and then help us with Poseidon."

"I see." She raised an eyebrow. "So your forces are to bear the brunt of Poseidon's wrath until your brother helps you, by then you'll be in a weakened state."

Oceanus frowned and exchanged a look with his wife. "I'm still working out the kinks."

Tethys smiled. "As you look for the best offer so do we."

"We all want the correct path to greatness," She said calmly. Yet to achieve greatness compromises must be made.

AN: Well we are back! I've been really busy with school and life along with my two miraculous ladybug stories.

Just a heads up I did change up the prophecy in the last chapter to fit better with this arc.