All rights belong to Rick Riordan
Chapter 36
Past Enemies, Past Battlefields
(Diana)
I slowly pulled myself up from the floor, full of determination as I flashed myself back to my palace and got changed out of my tear stained top.
I looked at the time and saw it was already late afternoon. Time was of the essence for in a few hours I would have to return to the chariot for the night. Though I was stronger now due to the rise in number of hunters, I still did not feel strong enough to separate my aspects and effectively multitask. Besides I had it bad enough concentrating on things as it was without effectively having two sides of me also analyzing my current predicament.
The only advantage I had was the fact Orthrys was in another time zone, which would allow me to effectively cheat and gain a few more hours of daylight with which to hopefully complete my task or at least effectively begin it and tell the Titan council what occurred.
The first thing I had to do was collect my 'companions', I had no problem with bringing Reyna as Hades and my father had been correct it would save the huntress a lot of stress if she was separated from Thalia until the situation was resolved. I knew Reyna was forbidden from revealing what she knew because Percy had made her swear an oath. However Thalia was not one to let Styx get in her way when she wanted to know something desperately.
My other companion I was more uncertain about. The minor god was as far as I was aware Percy's best friend as well as his cousin alongside Thalia, and it had often seemed that Percy acted as his surrogate big brother in place of his sister. The root of the problem was that one fact, I had accepted Bianca Di Angelo into the hunt and within a week she had died while on a quest to save me. I had spent little time around the god since his ascension and I was unaware of how he would take the news of him being forced by his father to accompany me.
When I finished my musing and was certain I was ready I flashed out of my temple and to the Greek camp.
(Reyna)
'Thalia we have been over this four times already, I Cannot tell you anything until I am released from my oath by Percy so stop asking.' I explained slowly word by word. Hoping she would finally give up every half an hour she would keep asking the same questions.
'I outrank you so tell me why what you know about why Percy is now a Titan, I know you know everything. So tell me what happened with Seaweed Brain' She complained.
'Don't play the rank card with me Thalia, I swore on the Styx which means that even if it were your father I would still not be able to tell you. All I can say is that yes Percy is a Titan Lord now and yes he has wings.' I stated wearily as her body crackled with lightning as she got steadily more frustrated, it was another similarity she shared with her brother when they both got annoyed or agitated they would start crackling like an electric storm.
Speaking of Jason I was glad he was not in the camp as from what I understood with the brief chat I had with Frank who was one of our temporary 'guardians' alongside Hazel was that he was still covering for Apollo while the Olympians were in a council meeting arguing over what had happened today. I was happy now with the hunt or at least I was before one of my stupid minded 'sisters' decided to try sniping Percy, I did not want any more painful reminders of my past and the god was nothing but a walking reminder of what could have been.
As for 'her' I had not seen her since Tania's capture and from what I had been told she was supervising Nemea who would not allow anyone to approach her as she sat guard over the site where her master had been attacked as well as his fallen weapons. Hyperion's spear and the sword of Saturn still lay on the ground where Percy had laid them while he was treating the goddess, both due to the fact no one else could move them and the fact the lioness would not allow anyone else to try.
Frank had managed to retrieve the broken bow and his knives by turning himself into a replica Nemean Lion but while he could assume the appearance of one physically. He was unable to mimic the physical properties of the real lioness's fur and that was why he was now wearing a bandage across one hand from where the lioness had taken a swipe at him when he got too close.
'Well can you tell me what his domains are then, and why on the name of my father does he have wings?' Thalia droned on next to me looking at me pouting in annoyance.
'I can't tell you what he has got but as for the wings he used to be Titan of the air before he relinquished the title.' I answered hoping that little bit of information would sate her curiosity for two minutes. I was able to tell her that because it was no longer an active domain of his and after all he had revealed his wings himself.
'Wait so he gave up a domain? How many does he have and why are they golden?'
'Thalia stop probing for information that I cannot give you, yes he has more than one and if you think about it you should be able to realize which ones he has after all he carries weapons that give them away. As for the wings I don't know why they are golden as I never asked although they do make him heavy as hell.' I explained cryptically and was thankful when she went silent as she thought upon the clue I had given her.
'So that was why Scipio was so tired when I first met you because Percy rode him, the weight of his wings was too much. But how does he not look like he is carrying that much weight around?' She asked having put two and two together about our introduction.
'I don't know I guess he doesn't feel it or the weight does not affect him perhaps. I don't know every detail about him only what he revealed when he tried to catch me. I am pretty sure if he could have caught me without revealing his wings I would have remained unaware of any of this myself.' I explained.
'I can't believe that he would not tell me, I am his cousin for hades sake.' She protested loudly just as a shadow formed next to us and out popped the former ambassador of Pluto or so he had misled us in the past.
'Pinecone face, please stop using my fathers name in vain.' He stated simply.
'You! You knew about him being a Titan didn't you?' She shouted focusing on him and I was glad for the reprieve from the 20 questions.
'We all did although admittedly I spent more time with him as he used to come visit when ever he was bored and when Iapetus would meet my father he would accompany him. However like Reyna here I can't tell you any more and you can't force me to tell you as last I checked I am a god and you aren't Sparky.' He jibed at the infuriated demigod before she threw a hunting knife at him but he simply dissolved into shadows and reappeared a few feet to the left of where he had been.
'Dammit Death Breath when I get my hands on you, there will be two sons of the big three in the infirmary.' She growled out.
'You would really hurt your own brother while Percy is in a coma, you have issues.' He teased and I decided to distance myself from her a bit as the air gained the taint of pure ozone as she became more annoyed.
'I meant you Zombie Boy!' She screamed in rage that was accompanied by a bolt of lightning striking the weather vane on the big house roof.
'I thought that Percy was the one out of the three of us who had anger issues when annoyed.' He teased and I was unable to comprehend how between the pair and Percy the Greeks had not managed to destroy themselves with their constant bickering.
Thalia was about to reply when there was a flash of light in front of us.
(Artemis)
I arrived to find myself in the middle of a confrontation between my half-sister and the young god of the honorably fallen who seemed unconcerned by her attempts at hurting him as evidenced by the discarded knife behind him where it was imbedded in the soil as if it had been thrown and the various electrical burns on the log that she was sitting on with Reyna at the far end keeping a safe distance.
'Lady Artemis.' The three said respectfully at the same time.
'Thalia calm down and control your temper. You stop goading her.' I stated firmly turning to the minor god.
'Yes Maam.' He said with a small bow.
'Lady Artemis, what happened is Percy Ok?' Thalia asked now having calmed herself down.
'He is not in immediate danger but he remains in a coma for the time being, which is why I am here now. Thalia you have command of the hunters until I return. Keep an eye on them all and do light practice for the time being until I return.' I instructed.
'Practice with what they took all our weapons away. I am the only one who has any and that is only because I am your lieutenant.' She explained and Reyna nodded and I noticed that she was currently unarmed.
I turned to look at the only one of the gods of heroes who was present expectantly.
'We did not want to risk any more problems until we knew what was happening with your hunters, Lady Artemis.' He explained.
'Very well.' I acknowledged after all this was their domain and I had to acknowledge their choices within it.
'But Milady!' Thalia protested.
'No Thalia, it is their choice to make while you are here.' I said firmly.
'Well then when are we leaving?' She said in annoyance.
'You are not, the hunters are remaining here until I return from my trip to the Titans as father decided I was the one who had to tell them.' I explained.
'You can't be serious, has father gone mad sending you there alone.'
'I am not going alone, Reyna and Nico here are coming with me.' I explained and said pair looked at me in shock.
'I am what!' Nico protested while Reyna simply sat open mouthed.
'My father and your father decided that you were to accompany me as well as Reyna here.' I explained to the confused god.
'Wait, why am I not going?' Thalia complained.
'Father wanted to leave you in command of the Hunters while I was gone, hopefully this will only take a little while and we can find a way to heal Perseus.' I explained to the annoyed demigod.
'Then how come Reyna is going?'
'To save her sanity from you, we know what you are like when people hide stuff from you. You go on and on about it until they relent. For the moment the hunters are not to be told what is happening, half of Olympus is looking at us with disgust for what Tania did. Perseus may not be the most popular of demigods with everyone but most at least respect him. Even father and our uncles are working together on this issue which is unheard of. They both had to pull Poseidon of Ares when the idiot opened his mouth ready to congratulate Percy's attacker.'
'See Thals even Lady Artemis thinks you are annoying sometimes.' Nico teased.
'Boy stop goading her, I will not tolerate your actions during these problematic times. Thalia act as I would do while I am away and keep an eye on Jacqueline.' I instructed.
'Yes Milady, but why her specifically?' She answered confused.
'That arrow came from somewhere, and Tania was in no state to get it herself at the time. Do the math. Take no action against her just keep an eye on her. Also make sure Morgana uses no offensive magic while she is here. The campers will be returning at some point and I suggest you try and keep the hunt separate from them. If you want a suggestion for something to learn I would recommend CPR as that could stopped this entire situation from occurring. Have Atlanta or one of the remaining Apollo girls teach you all first aid not just battlefield aid.' I instructed.
She sat for a moment digesting what I had said before she nodded in agreement.
'Give Reyna back her weapons.' I ordered the young god and a veil of shadows appeared on the floor before dissipating revealing the girls assorted weaponry which she hurriedly retrieved and placed about her person.
'Thalia I mean it the hunters are not to know anything about what you may have learned, the hunt is currently standing on the precipice and it will only take one more incident for it to fall. See to it that nothing happens.' I warned before grabbing the god and the huntress and flashing us back to Olympus.
(Reyna)
When I got used to the intense glare that reflected off everything, I looked around in amazement at the city of the gods. As Romans we were always told the gods were to be seen from distance and kept separate from us, so heroes rarely ever came to Olympus. But as I looked around the marble metropolis I could do naught but admire the beauty of the place as I actually found myself admiring buildings without thinking of whether they were useful defensive structures or hideaways as I was used to in the mortal world.
The city of New Rome was a pale comparison to this one. As I looked up the truncated mountain peak towards what I guessed was the Olympian Throne room judging by the scale and grandeur of the structure at the peak. I looked around the buildings closer and guessed at the owners of the two closest structures. One was made of almost entirely silver tinted marble or the actual metal where as the other was its twin were it not for the gold colour scheme instead.
'Welcome to Olympus Reyna.' The goddess stated noticing my look of wonder as I looked around in awe.
'It is beautiful Milady.' I answered absentmindedly.
'The underworld is better looking in my opinion.' Nico defended.
'That is only because your palace is down there; even your father has a palace up here now.' The goddess stated to our companion.
'It is too bright up here and don't even get me started on that monstrosity over there.' He said pointing at what I guessed was Apollo's temple.
'That is where we are going.' Artemis stated.
'I am not going in there, it will give me a headache for a week with all that brightness and that is before I have to here another Haiku.' He protested.
'Why would you here a Haiku?' I asked confused. What did oriental poetry have to do with anything.
'My brother is an idiot and doesn't realize that no one likes what he sings and says. Just because he is the god of music does not mean he can do vocal work. That is why we have the muses he should stick to instrumentals but he refuses to acknowledge popular opinion on the matter and carries on anyway.' She explained with a sigh.
'So why are we here anyway, I thought we were going to Orthrys.' Nico asked.
'We are taking Perseus with us as a sign of good faith, there could be trouble if we suddenly announce he was injured and have no proof also they may have a way of healing him. Also I don't think my father wants half the Titan council knocking on the gates demanding an explanation, they could think he was really dead and we were covering it up.' Artemis explained stepping towards the golden palace and I followed suit. After a lot of grumbling the other god finally relented and conjured a pair of black Ray-Ban over his eyes before following us inside although I did agree the place was horrible to look at in the daylight as the sun reflected off every surface and I was forced to squint my eyes.
(Artemis)
For the second time today I walked through the halls of my brother's temple as I followed the familiar path to the infirmary with the others in tow. I found the fool in his 'surgery' room talking with a large figure that I didn't recognize until the pair both turned towards the sound of my footsteps. I forced myself to not draw a weapon as I looked at the familiar figure with contempt.
'What are you doing here?' I growled out as I looked at large man in front of me.
'Hello, nice to see you to goddess.' Atlas replied sarcastically.
'You did not answer my question.'
'Oh I am sorry, does the huntress need to be told of everything that every being does?' He stated annoyingly and everyone else I noticed was turning their heads from one of us to the other with each statement.
'Hello Atlas, Why are you here now?' I forced myself to say civilly.
'See I see that now you have grown up a bit since we last met you have gained some manners.' He said with condescension after looking me up and down with a leer that caused me to grind my teeth together in disgust.
'I was just visiting the city downstairs when I felt the earth shake, now with granny dead thanks to him on the table that did not leave many candidates of who would be pissed off with Olympus. So I got curious and thought I would pay you all a visit and find out what Barnacle Beard was so upset about and the security guy lets slip there was an emergency meeting because of my uncle and aunt and something to do with Jackson here. The stubborn bastard downstairs wouldn't let me up though but just as I was about to 'persuade' him your old man himself came down and asked for my help and here I am.' He explained simply.
'Is he speaking the truth?' I asked my brother.
'Apart from his reason for being in New York, yeah it is all true.' Apollo confirmed.
'Why were you here then?' I said focusing on the Titan who looked nervous all of a sudden before Apollo mumbled something about 'Booty call' and I felt even further repulsed to be near the wannabe 'General'. How he could be so different to Zoe was a question I had asked myself for 2000 years but thank the fates she had been.
'So who are your companions, he is Hades brat, one of those Heroes lot. I saw you with Perseus and my dad once but who is this beautiful young Lady.' He asked managing to simultaneously piss the pair of as they both reached for their swords. The pair was stopped when a pair of arrows hit the floor in front of them and I looked at my brother in annoyance.
'Not in the temple, I don't care this is a place of healing not fighting and besides you would ruin the décor.' He said with a grin. How was I related to this idiot?
'Atlas do not flirt with my hunters!' I growled out with enough venom in the words to poison Ladon.
'You should not have recruited my daughter then.'
'You abandoned her; I gave her a home and a purpose and turned her from a naïve nymph into a true hero.'
'No you led her to her death.'
'She died trying to stop you!' I shouted back at him.
'I would have taken her back after she saw what the real world was like full of arrogant fools who would take advantage of her like your scum brother, no offence Apollo. Instead she met you and you turned her into a cold hearted hunter and kept her from her family.' He defended.
'Arrogant fools like you as well. Hypocrite.'
'I will admit to that fact but a daughter will never see her father for what he really is, she needed to meet others to understand that fact. She was the only one of the five who actually had a spine and was willing to be rebellious against my orders which made her unique amongst my daughters. Even now her sisters despite being offered freedom do nothing but tend to that damned garden day in and day out. Nothing but pruning weeds for eternity, they are the ones I am more disappointed with. At least Zoe accomplished something even if I don't like what it was.' He conceded.
'Atlas, Arty when you are finished with your argument can we get back to the matter at hand most notably him.' Apollo said indicating the comatose body on the bed behind them.
'So what did father want with him, how is he supposed to help?' I asked my brother remembering what Atlas said.
'Well it should be pretty obvious to a small thing like you.' Atlas chided.
'You are taking Percy to Orthrys right, how exactly did you plan on getting him there?' Apollo asked slowly and I gained understanding.
'Atlas everyone's favourite pack mule, we may have finally found a new purpose for you after all now your brother is carrying your burden or is that you just like carrying heavy loads?' I asked jokingly and took great pleasure in seeing that I was getting under his skin this time.
'I am doing this for him as repayment for him offering me a chance when all of you would have left me to rot, not because your father asked. Besides I get the great satisfaction of watching you tell my parents and the rest of the council what happened with your hunter, attacking a council member in cold blood.' He said with a sneer and I knew I could not argue against that as he spoke the truth.
'That's enough the pair of you, Atlas do as requested and I will consider what we spoke about earlier. Artemis put aside your anger and work with him. I am not asking you to be friends but work together and help Perseus. I do not want further tension between Olympus and Orthrys.' A voice shouted from the doorway and I turned to see my father standing there.
'Yes Lord Zeus.' Atlas acknowledged startling me, what could they have discussed that made the Titan so desperate to get in my fathers graces.
'Artemis I know there is bad blood between the pair of you over him capturing you and the death of your former lieutenant, his daughter but look past that. Perhaps we can finally solve some of the problems in this messed up family and that young man over there is the key. Now do what needs to be done.' He ordered before with a blast of thunder he flashed out of the room.
'Well Arty are you going to do as daddy asked?' Apollo teased and I had to stop myself from smashing his head of a wall.
'Shut it Momma's boy, Atlas pick Perseus up we are leaving before someone in here gets hurt and Olympus needs a new doctor. We have already gone through one and if he doesn't shut up Apollo will be joining Asclepius.' I said threateningly and my brother paled at the concept of joining the faded former god of medicine, another victim of the Roman cut backs.
The Titan of Strength picked up the smaller Titan Lord with little effort, careful to avoid the sharp edges of his wings that were bound down his back as they were normally were when he had them concealed. I was actually glad for the help as I had not considered how I was going to move Percy's massive form when I flashed to Orthrys though I probably would have used my Olympian form but even then he was still exceptionally heavy after all I had heard about how he had nearly broken the back of a Pegasus after only a few minutes flight.
'I will meet you in my daughter's garden goddess don't keep me waiting.' Atlas stated before flashing out with his burden.
'Arty try and find one of Percy's arrows if there are any otherwise I would recommend asking uncle Lelantos and seeing if he can help after all it was his bow. Other than that try not piss off any more of our western neighbors and say hi to mum for me.' Apollo advised before winking at Reyna and flashing out as well. I was going to strangle him when I next saw him.
'Well that was unexpected.' Nico finally said.
'This entire day has been full of the unexpected, I was expecting another day of archery practice not battles, arguments and quests.' Reyna agreed.
'Enough let us leave.' I said grabbing the pair and taking them with me to MountTamalpais and the garden of the Hesperides.
(Reyna)
Of all the places I ever expected to return to this was not one of them as I found myself for the second time standing amidst the garden of the Hesperides. The last time I had been here it was part of the legion as we assaulted the place at the end of the second Titan War. Then the gardens had been with a horde of monsters we had been forced to fight through to the sound of clashing arms and slaughter.
That could not have been any different to what I was looking at now, as I looked around the gardens and appreciated the true beauty of the place and for the second time I was enamored with the scenery around me. Everywhere I looked there seemed to be every type of plant on the planet all carefully arranged in a system that was lost on me with no sign of weeds or dying plants all to the sound of birdsong. Now I was not one for flowers or beauty which I guessed was a result of my nature as a child of war but even I could see this place for what it was really and that was not a battlefield as I remembered it.
'Our father awaits you by the Palace goddess.' A female voice said from somewhere and I looked around as did my divine companions before we noticed the nymph who was half hidden behind a flower bed full of some plant with silver petals that could not have been natural as I considered it.
'Thank you.' The goddess replied before beginning to walk off careful to keep to the paths and not ruin the ascetic despite the winding pathways. Nico simply shrugged before following her and I brought up the rear.
The path eventually however began to move towards the giant central tree with its glittering fruit as well as its terrible guardian who I still remembered. Ladon was the sort of monster you always remembered and could never forget as I made out the numerous coils of his body around the boughs of the tree.
Thankfully the dragon did not seem to concerned about us beyond keeping a few heads focused on us as we made our way around the tree. One head had moved forward to intercept us but other than quickly smelling the goddess's hand it had returned to its dozing although that temporary moment of proximity had reminded me of that other reason I remembered the dragon: the awful smell of his breath.
'Okay why was Ladon so interested in you Lady Artemis and not us two?' Nico asked almost sounding like he was complaining about not getting attention from the monster.
'My mother is a Titan; just like pure Titans my brother and I can freely pass Ladon as long as we do not make a move towards the tree. The only gods who can approach it are my father and Hera as it was his wedding gift to her.' Artemis explained without stopping as the palace came into view.
The familiar black stone palace was like the gardens different to what I remembered it, then it had been partially collapsed in place and burning in others but know it reflected the true power of its occupants as it stood in all its grandeur.
However before the bronze doors of the palace stood two large figures only one of whom I recognized.
'Lady Artemis.' The unknown man asked.
'Lord Iapetus.' Artemis replied acknowledging the Titan Lord with a small bow which he returned and I saw fit to copy Milady out of respect.
'Nico' He said turning to the god who seemed unconcerned about the Titan.
'How's it going Bob?' He replied startling me with his blatant mockery of the Titan.
'Very funny I see you have been spending too much time with Perseus, after all is he not the reason you are here?' The Titan Lord stated and I noticed that the figure of Atlas was no longer encumbered with his load.
'Yes as well we bare news of your missing council members.' Artemis explained.
'Indeed, then follow me the council is waiting to hear what you have to say goddess. They are very interested to know why my son arrived a short while ago carrying Perseus who was apparently injured by one of your hunters and who I trust is not the one currently accompanying you.' Iapetus asked and I realized he was talking about me.
'No but that is correct there was a misunderstanding you could say and Perseus condition is a result of it.' The goddess replied.
'This is not the first time you have been here huntress is it?' He said turning towards me noticing me looking around the courtyard still remembering flashes of what it had been like.
'No I was with the legion when we razed this place in the last war; I helped to defeat Krios alongside the son of Jupiter.' I admitted honestly.
'Do not fear we mean you no harm my brothers picked their fate, I was lucky to have only take a dip in the Lethe courtesy of Perseus but it saved me in the long run otherwise I would likely have fallen alongside them in Tartarus.'
'Yes Lord Iapetus.' I said respectfully thankful it was not a problem.
'Very well then come.' He said before stepping towards the gate and placing a hand against it after a few seconds the great gates opened of their own accord and I made out a series of names in a circle on the metal. The most surprising one was the one at the bottom which simply said Perseus. The rest as far I could tell were all the surviving members of the Titan council as only the children of Gaia and Ouranos had their names on the gate and not any of their children like Atlas who followed his father inside as we all trailed due to their longer strides.
After a short walk the passageway we were in opened up into a large chamber and filling it were 10 thrones, 6 of which were currently occupied. Reluctantly I followed Lady Artemis into the centre of the room nervous of the assembled Titans who were looking at us curiously.
Atlas broke of from our group and stood to the side while his father took his place on his throne alongside his siblings.
'As you are aware we are joined today by Artemis who will explain what transpired today concerning our current missing council members.' One of the Titaness's began indicating the three now vacant thrones.
One that appeared to be made of ice, the other of some sort of coral stone and the final that was mostly golden but with pieces of black marble that shone as if it contained stars imbedded in the stone. The first I gathered were belonging to Tethys and Oceanus which meant the last must have been Percy's. Clearly the Titan Lord had a lot in common with Apollo when it came to preferred metals.
I stood silent as I saw the goddess take a deep breath before beginning her explanation.
AN. There you go as requested one chapter.
Hopefully Percy will be back in a conscious state by the end of the next chapter as it is really quite hard to write a story when the primary protagonist is in a coma for several chapters. not that I don't mind writing from Artemis/Diana's perspective predominantly. but the characters are a lot more formal when they are all primarily gods and Titans which is why I wanted to put less formal characters in these chapters ones who know how to annoy others. besides it finally let me have a meeting between Atlas and Artemis and for them to discuss Zoe. also Nico abusing his power to annoy Thalia without consequence.
Next chapter will probably be next weekend so be patient.
As always Read and Review