Judgement

Before our… materializing forms, the sprawling steps and monumental walls of the Olympian throne room revealed themselves. As we stepped from the flames of Hestia's power, an entourage of satyrs, nymphs, and minor gods gasped out and regarded us like we were some sort of divine envoys. In a sense, I guess we were.

"I'm never going to get used to that," I groaned. "Are my eyebrows still intact?"

Annabeth pinched the bridge of her nose. "After everything you've been through today alone, that's what you're worried about?!"

"Do you realize how many times I've been set on fire lately?"

"Don't worry." Piper strode forward and grasped my face with both hands. "Your eyebrows are still in one piece, just like the rest of you."

"Regardless of Percy's sudden self image issues," Reyna said, "I believe we have an appointment to keep."

"Indeed," Hestia said. "Come with me."

And so we followed Hestia up the mighty steps of Olympus like the ragtag group of heroes and misfits we were.

Save for one.

Khione hung back toward the bottom of the stairs. She eyed the great building like it would devour her.

"You okay?" I asked.

She shook her head. "I can't do this. It would be bad enough to see Hera again, but compared to them all… I'm just… just…"

"Fortunately, Hera is due for a little bit of payback. But we need you there. You are our witness to what happened. You're another one of her victims."

"You think they'll care?! I was their prisoner! They have slain mortals and gods alike for crimes they had not committed or for the crimes of their families. My pain is not even worth a speck of their concern!"

"Well, it is to me." I took her hand in my own and placed the other around her back, to which she gasped on contact. "Just take this one step at a time. You're not alone."

She grimaced, refusing to budge, and so neither did I.

After a few moments more, she tightened her grip on my hand and took her first step. I fell in stride with her, at her side as we made our way up.

All the girls were waiting for us by the time we arrived at the top, some more patiently than others.

"Everything okay?" Piper asked.

"Just a small pep talk is all."

"Very well," Hestia said. "I'd imagine the others are quite eager to have this meeting over with."

On the contrary, the gods weren't so highly invested in the meeting. At least, that's what it looked like when we walked in.

Ares and Dionysus were grappling in the middle of the throne room, as many other gods bickered among themselves. And by "grappling," I mean Ares had Dionysus in a rather dastardly headlock while the wine god raked his fingers over his older brother's eyes.

"You take that back!" Ares shouted. "Take it back or I'll shove your tongue so far down your throat, you'll have to stick a wine bottle up your ass just to taste it!"

"Accept the truth! Tanagra only deals in winners! I won, so I'll get to bed her!"

Hermes watched on in amusement, though many of the other gods weren't in such a pleasant mood as him. Athena was scolding Poseidon and Hades for some reason. Apollo chased after Hephaestus while pleading with him to make some additions to his chariot. Zeus clapped his hands over his ears while Artemis ranted and waved her arms in front of him.

Only Hera and Aphrodite weren't engaged in conversation. Hera was stone-faced, turned away from Zeus with a plush blanket wrapped around her. Aphrodite spotted us the moment we walked in and offered us a flirty smile and wave.

Flames rose from Hestia's eyes as she marched up to the bickering gods.

"Silence!"

Everyone froze.

Even Zeus looked taken aback, raising an eyebrow and leaning forward.

"By the Fates, four thousand years and you're still no better than children!" Hestia scolded. "Everyone back in your seats! We have a serious matter to discuss!"

Much to our surprise, the gods actually listened to her, each flashing to their throne if they weren't there already.

"What is it this time?" Zeus yawned. "Did Priapus try to sneak into Olympus again?"

She huffed, exhaling a plume of flames from her nose.

"If it will actually keep your attention, this is about your wife."

Zeus blanched. Hera tightened the blanket around her shoulders.

"Ha!" Hephaestus bellowed. "I knew it was only a matter of time! Who was it with? If it was a mortal, I'll build them a—"

"Your wife was involved too!" Athena snapped.

He recoiled. "A— Aglaea? Since when did she—"

"No," Athena groaned. "Aphrodite."

"But she's not—"

"We've had another coup attempt," Hestia interrupted. "Only this time, they were far more subtle."

"Coup?!" Hera asked incredulously. "This was no coup! Aphrodite was trying to win favor just like any one of us!"

"And reducing our children to sex slaves is any better?"

"This again?" Zeus grumbled. "My decision on this was final. There's no point in discussing it further."

"But it wasn't your decision, little brother, now was it?" Hestia crossed her arms.

He scratched his beard. "What are you implying?"

"It's time you all learned the truth." She turned to me and held out her hand. "Percy? If you would be so kind."

I stepped forward and took a breath, not really sure where to begin.

"Um… Well… I guess this all started during the war…"

And so I explained. Every bit. Every detail I remembered. Whenever I needed someone else to speak as a witness, I brought them forward. Annabeth, Piper, Khione, Rachel; anyone involved in the inner workings of Aphrodite and Hera's plot.

Everyone tried to remain impassive during the explanation, but most failed miserably. Certain details garnered stronger reactions than others, particularly anything to do with Annabeth. The retelling of her daughter's trials nearly drove Athena to break her spear in half. Poseidon took special interest in the details with Phorcys. Of course, we can't forget the lovely prophecy Rachel all but spit into my mouth.

When the story was told and the details were divulged, the reactions of the council varied drastically. From apathy to confusion to rage, it seemed as though this story could make or break the Olympians.

"Lies!" Zeus shouted. "Nobody influenced my decision! That you would dare to assume I could be so easily manipulated—!"

"It's not a lie," Apollo said. "Every word out of their mouths was nothing but the truth."

"Furthermore," Hestia said, "Hera and Aphrodite confessed to these crimes just earlier today."

Zeus finally turned to his wife, who didn't bother uttering a word during the entire explanation. Or any emotion for that matter. At least Aphrodite had the decency to look disappointed during some of the more… difficult moments.

"Is this true?" he finally asked.

Hera tightened her blanket around her shoulders, not bothering to look him, or anyone else, in the eye.

"Yes."

Zeus slouched back into his throne. "I see. So despite swearing your loyalty to me, you would dare conceal this plot to overthrow me."

"Overthrow you?" Aphrodite recoiled. "You flatter me, Zeus, but my goals were never quite so grandiose. I simply wanted more influence. No more of a crime than anyone else on this council would commit."

The council broke into chaos. Several stepped up and denied any desire for power while each statement was verbally swatted away by another.

"Silence!" Zeus slammed down his fist, releasing a crack of thunder throughout the chamber, and probably greater Manhattan. "The point remains that Hera has betrayed her vows of loyalty to me by refusing to come forth with this plot."

"Loyalty?!" Hera spat. "And what of your loyalty to me?! You're no better a husband than you are a judge! Deflecting your duties and responsibilities to—"

CRACK!

A blinding flash filled the chamber, forcing even the gods to turn away. When the light died down, Hera's throne sizzled and steamed. The ivory peacocks adorning it appeared more like Phorcys after Cinder was done with him. The goddess in question had fallen from her seat, clothes burning, her face covered in soot. She stared in utter disbelief at Zeus, who returned her gaze with his own, a bolt of lightning crackling in his fingers.

"Did you just—"

"That is a stretch too far," Hestia said, wrapping her arms around the fallen queen. "I would see justice done for the crime at hand. Not blatant cruelty within a marital dispute."

"Of course!" Aphrodite slid down from her throne and swayed toward the two goddesses. "And what better punishment than to subject us to the very system we created? Turn us into Percy's slaves. There we can do no further harm, and our actions can be monitored with far greater ease."

All blood rushed from my face. The same could be said for most of the girls around me. I all but choked trying to force a denial, but several Olympians nodded their heads in agreement. More likely, they just wanted this meeting to end so no one else would wind up facing Zeus' wrath. Zeus merely glowered at Hera, who tried to tuck herself away beneath Hestia's cloak.

"Very well," he gruffed. "Swear your oaths and—"

"No!"

Zeus' snarl locked on me. A stray spark from his bolt zapped his throne, yet echoed across the sky.

"Percy," Poseidon warned, his grip tightening on his trident. "Now is not the time to—"

"What Aphrodite and Hera did affected us. We should have a say in what their punishment is."

Some council members nodded briefly, but froze before anyone around them could take notice.

Zeus glared at me, a hurricane all but ready to burst from his eyes.

"You have ten seconds to decide. If I don't like what I hear, they will be made slaves and the matter will be dropped."

Well there goes my plan!

Ten seconds was not nearly enough time to discuss a punishment with the other girls. In a surge of adrenaline and desperation, I tried to scour an idea from the other Olympians through willpower alone. My attention lasted on each of them for less than a second, trying to garner some semblance of a… Wait…

Eureka!

"Rather than have them serve me, make them serve someone else. Someone who gave up a ton because of this whole ordeal."

"So slavery nonethless," Zeus grumbled. "Fine. Who?"

"Artemis."

Everyone seemed taken aback by my response. Artemis, who had been successfully avoiding attention up to this point, stared at me with utter disbelief.

"What?!"

All attention turned to Aphrodite, who backed away from the others. Panic crawled into every detail of her ever-shifting face.

"You can't seriously make that request!" she screeched. "I just wanted to take you into my bed! None of you can possibly think that's a crime worthy of this!"

"You wanted to make me your slave. Your mindless puppet. Well, now I say you should get a taste of your own medicine. Or as you put it, subject you to the very system you created."

For once, she actually looked at me with genuine pain in her eyes.

"Percy…"

"Fine!" Zeus grumbled. "In recompense for this attempted coup, I sentence you both to one hundred years of service to Artemis. The duties of your domains will remain unchanged, and must be honored by her, but your powers and privileges are left to her discretion."

The following seconds were filled with nothing but a stunned silence. None seemed more bewildered than Artemis herself. She sank back into her throne, face blanched and unable to rip her gaze from the floor.

Hestia looked torn. She continued shielding Hera from Zeus, but her expression was that of dejected acceptance. The queen of the gods was expressionless, leaving me to wonder if she even realized what I just sentenced her to.

Aphrodite collapsed against her throne, her expression pale and wrought with panic.

Every other god in the room was silent. My father stared at me with a grim expression, but a shimmer of pride was clear in his eyes. Apollo, Hephaestus, Hades, Demeter… all of them watched events unfold like the finale of a horror movie.

The girls were no different. Annabeth stared at me with wide eyes, equal parts concern and fear in her stormy irises. I forced myself to turn away from her, unable to handle her conflicted expression.

"The matter is settled. This meeting is—"

"No, it's not," Hades said, his voice grave.

Zeus tightened his grip on his bolt. "And what further matter is there to discuss?"

Hades stood from his seat. "Our children have been wrongfully thrust into the roles of slaves. The harem must be disbanded! Our children must be freed!"

"That's not for us to decide!" Zeus crackled. "The laws are binding. Unless you expect us to believe none of them have consummated their allegiance by now, the harem will keep them bound."

"And what of those who haven't?" Demeter said. "Surely, they are exempt!"

"In name, perhaps," Zeus said. "In position, no. Twelve were pledged to him, twelve there must remain. Even if they haven't lain with Perseus, they could only leave if there is another to take their place."

"But there is a chance," Hades pressed.

"Well… yes," Zeus sighed.

A couple of the gods turned to their children, but far less than I'd expected. Some even turned away, albeit with mildly pained expressions.

"Hazel… Bianca," Hades said softly. "Have you…?"

The two of them froze, sharing a brief glance with one another.

"Does… does kissing him count?" Bianca asked.

Hades all but burst out a round of strained laughter. "No, my dears. It does not."

"And who would you trade?" Artemis said. "You have no daughters left to spare."

Hades glowered at her. "I have the entire Underworld at my command. I will trade whomever I see fit."

With a wave of his hand, two columns of shadowy smoke erupted from the floor. The roars of hellish fire and screams of the Underworld echoed across the chamber, until they dissolved away, revealing two figures I could barely recognize.

Artemis gasped. "You wouldn't dare!"

Hades' expression darkened. "I'd assumed you'd be happy with this choice. After all, they fell valiantly in battle. I expected you'd be delighted to have them back."

Before us stood two disoriented redheads, but that's where the similarities ended. Where one had a full head of long auburn hair, the other had the sides of her head shaved, leaving her remaining ginger hair in a long braid. Where one had a lean physique tucked into a black pantsuit, the other was built like a lioness, donning a very familiar silvery camouflage.

"Phoebe!" Artemis and Bianca called out.

"Kinzie?" Hazel and I gasped simultaneously.

The two shook their heads in various directions, gasping out their first breaths, trying to identify those who called out to them.

Phoebe took a fighting stance while Kinzie stumbled in my direction.

"What's… uh… what's going on? Did Elysium get some renovations done?"

"This is my offering," Hades said. "My daughters shall return to their respective previous duties and allegiances. In return, this hunter and amazon shall have their lives restored and pledged into Perseus's harem, and reap all benefits from within it."

"Wait—"

"So be it," Zeus thundered. "Your daughters are free. Be thankful they chose to keep their legs closed."

Artemis' earlier desire to remain hidden seemed to vanish. "Again?! Why can't you let my hunters rest in peace?! Is death not enough?!"

"How far would you go for your hunters?" Hades asked. "My daughters take precedence over almost all else so far as I am concerned. Besides, look at it this way, now Zoë has a much more familiar face to keep her company."

"Wait," Kinzie said. "What are you two talking about? It sounded like—"

"In order to take back my daughters, I brought you both back to life to live immortal lives as members of Percy Jackson's harem." He gestured toward me and the group of stunned women behind me.

The reactions of the two girls couldn't have been more different.

"What?!" Phoebe turned to Artemis. "He can't be serious! Artemis, please! I swore a vow! I can't break that!"

"A vow which was carried out the moment you died," Hades said. "Consider this a chance for a new life. A different one, yes. But it will offer a new variety of experiences."

Artemis had gone silent, shedding silver tears for the painfully bittersweet moment. "You are a cruel man, uncle."

"So says the woman who would kill men just for stumbling over a bush."

While Phoebe continued to plead with Hades and Artemis, Kinzie turned to me with an odd expression. Somewhere between curiosity, amusement, and… hunger. There was definitely a very deep and primal hunger in those eyes, a look I'd seen only during some of my most… intense moments with the others.

"Well," she finally said, marching straight up to me, "this is certainly a… unique situation. While I was hoping to have my boyfriend in an iron collar, it seems like I'll be wearing one instead. And you even had me brought back from the dead just to make it happen. I'm going to enjoy this."

"I'm not the one who did this," I retorted. "This was all Hades."

She shrugged. "Doesn't really matter now. I get some fresh air, immortality, and a nice hunk I can finally take to bed without any shame. You won't find me complaining."

Artemis and Hades continued their argument, which seemed to boil over with Hades practically frothing shadows from his mouth.

"If you're going to be so high and mighty, why don't you trade Zoë out?! I'm sure she'd be so grateful to you."

Artemis scanned the group and realized Zoë wasn't with us. Nonetheless, she grimaced with silver streams over her cheeks. "You know I can't. Unlike you, I don't trade lives. And even if I did, Zoë would go right back into the stars once she was freed."

Hades returned to his chair, a smug expression on his face. "Don't worry. I'm sure Perseus is keeping her very satisfied."

The council waited with held breath, ready to step in if Artemis tried ripping Hades to pieces. She didn't. With an animalistic growl, she vanished in a flash of silver.

"Artemis! No!"

Phoebe lunged towards the silver throne, but tumbled to a heap at its base. Bianca rushed to her and consoled her while she sobbed.

My attention turned to Hades, who returned my glare with a solemn one of his own.

"Think of me what you will, Perseus. You would break the world for your friends. Do not underestimate the lengths I would go to for my daughters."

Before I could say anything, Zeus decided to intervene.

"Are there any others who have not been broken in by Perseus? Please say no, so we may end this meeting."

"I haven't!"

All heads turned to an unfortunately beautiful daughter of Aphrodite.

"Though not for a lack of trying," Drew said, "I haven't slept with him."

Never before had I found myself so relieved to see someone try and get away from me. Several other girls relaxed their shoulders, clearly relieved that the resident diva was taking her leave.

"So mom, if you'd just trade me out, that would be fan—"

"There seems to be a misunderstanding," Zeus interrupted. "Your mother is in no position to trade you any longer. Assuming she wanted to, she would need Artemis' permission. Of course, you are more than welcome to try and reason with her after what just transpired. You might even survive the ordeal."

Drew paled, along with the rest of us.

"Wha… bu… but I… No! No no no!" Angry tears boiled in her tear ducts. "Hades wasn't even the one who pledged Bianca in! That was Artemis! Why did he get to trade her out?!"

"Quiet, child! What you say is true, and it holds true even now. If anyone here would wish to trade her place for another within their power, speak now."

Nobody spoke. Not one god or goddess so much as raised a finger. Some turned away. Some watched on with pity. Apollo even whistled while twiddling his thumbs.

"Seriously?! None of you are going to help me?! You can't think of one person who wants to get their brains fucked out by him?! Just take one of my sisters! I can name four right now who've been wanting to fuck him!"

"Silence!" Zeus slammed his fist down on the arm of his throne. "The council has made their decision. Now go back to your master and learn to quell your tongue."

Drew trembled in the middle of the chamber, fists balled so tightly, she might have chipped a nail. But without another word, she stormed back to the group with tears running down her face.

"If there are no others, then we bring this meeting—"

"We need to discuss living arrangements," Poseidon interjected. "With Galínios no longer safe—"

"Stay in the camp for all I care! I've heard more than enough prattle about this damned harem. It's caused me far too much of a headache for what it's been worth! Now unless someone else wants to learn what lightning tastes like, this meeting is adjourned!"

He vanished in a storm cloud with a clap of thunder, leaving the rest of us to mull over everything that just happened.

A few gods vanished instantly. Leaving only about half of the council with us to deal with. Hestia, Hera, Aphrodite, Athena, Apollo, Hades, and, of course, my dad.

Hades rushed to his daughters, though didn't quite embrace them. They recoiled with conflicted expressions.

Hestia whispered comforting words into the ear of a silently weeping Hera. Aphrodite joined them and knelt down at their side. Whatever she was saying to them, Hestia clearly didn't like what she was hearing, and tried shooing her away. The love goddess pressed on, and seemed to say something that visibly shook Hestia to her core.

Apollo and Athena approached the girls and began discussing something with Annabeth.

That left Poseidon. His giant form dissipated in a cloud of sea spray, leaving him no taller than me. Pride twinkled in his eyes as he strolled up to me, arms wide open. Even after everything that happened, I couldn't hold back hugging him. Whether it was his presence or the scent of the sea that calmed me, I couldn't tell. All I knew was how desperately I needed a hug.

"Next time you speak to Zeus, it might not be in your best interest to antagonize him."

I laughed, the odd tear rolling down my cheeks and soaking into his shirt. "I learned from you."

He chuckled and pulled back, grasping my shoulders. "I'd ask how you've been, but I'd feel a fool if I did."

"Well, I'm still alive. Maybe not quite sane, but alive."

"And without a home, it would seem." He frowned and took a glance towards the group of women behind me. "You know, there's always a place in Atlantis for you. Surely, some accommodations can be made for your friends."

I snorted. "Thanks, but I don't think most of them would like to give up life on land just yet."

"No, maybe not." Mirth glimmered in his eyes as he performed another once over of them. "Still, the offer stands. In the meantime, there is no rush. I'm sure Chiron would be more than happy to have you back."

"So you can't just have Tyson rebuild everything? Maybe patch up the cave so they can't use the labyrinth to get in?"

"It doesn't work that way, I'm afraid. The labyrinth is a mystery even to us. Daedalus outdid himself when designing it. I'd feel much better if you were nowhere near it. Besides, it may work out for the better. You and your friends will now have a fair bit more freedom."

"Maybe." My head fell. "But it's not just about us. The nymphs. Dad, there's dozens of them, all trapped on the island. Thalia and Zoë are doing some ritual to set them free, but it will only last a couple days. They need to settle down somewhere."

His shoulders sagged. "Indeed. For centuries, I've tried to root out Phorcys. He and his ilk have been nothing but a blight to the sea. That he was under our nose the whole time…" His gaze seemed far away, like a captain watching as a tsunami prepared to capsize his ship. "Well, at least he is dead for now. The next few centuries will be all the more peaceful without him. Though I'm not sure I would have advised letting Keto live."

"We wouldn't have beaten him without her. Or Cinder. She was just as angry about the slaves as we were."

He frowned and raised a brow. "For her husband's infidelity perhaps, but I can't claim any innocence there. I'll just stay thankful Amphitrite hasn't resorted to such drastic measures. But the slaves… Well, perhaps that's just a generational thing. Nonetheless, I'd be happy to assist you in transitioning them."

I frowned. "Are you just trying to take some of them for yourself?"

His laugh was equal parts infectious and unnerving, given the topic. "Guilty. You didn't think your libido came from your mother, did you?"

Add that to the list of information I didn't need to know.

"Fine. But only if they want to go with you. No coercion and no flashing your power as a god. Also, I'm not responsible for what Amphitrite does when you bring them back."

"Ha! Worry not. I've learned how to handle her. And they will be proper Atlantean citizens long before I take them to bed."

Before I could comment any further, the hand of an overenthusiastic sun god clapped me on my shoulder.

"Dude! You have no idea how long I've been waiting to see Hera get knocked down a peg. Like seriously, you're my hero!"

Apollo grinned at me through a pair of golden aviators. A mottled bruise was starting to develop on his cheek.

"Were you flirting with Piper again?"

He raised his hands in surrender. "Guilty as charged. Can you blame me though? Just look at her! If you're ever down for some spitro—"

"No! Nope! No no no!" I clapped my hands over my ears. "I'm going to pretend you didn't just say that."

"Hey, your loss. I'm sure I'll find a real freak by tomorrow. It's so easy these days. Reminds me of Rome way back in the day. They knew how to—"

"Is there any other reason you came by? Or did you just come to ogle my friends?"

"Alright, alright. Take it easy. I actually wanted to let you know I'm still investigating what happened with the oracle. The caves beneath Delphi have been laced with some sort of suppression magic. It's strong. Like really strong. But it's only been enough to delay the spirit. Something tells me someone was trying to silence the oracle entirely."

"Is that possible?"

"Not really, no. Not without severely pissing off the Fates. I'm still searching for who our culprit is."

"Wait. Are you saying there's a fourth god involved in all of this?"

He shrugged. "Can't say for sure right now, but it's likely. I have a meeting with Hecate later today. Should be able to dig up some answers then."

"Right." My shoulders slouched. "Well, when you find something, let me know. I don't want Rachel to go through that again."

As he took his leave, Hestia approached us with a forced smile.

"That certainly didn't go the way I expected it would, but all things considered, it could have gone much worse."

"That's one way to put it." I peeked over her shoulder. "Where'd Hera and Aphrodite go?"

"Preparing themselves for the next century you subjected them to. On that note, Aphrodite asked me to relay to you that she won't stop in her pursuits. She's very intent on getting you in bed."

Poseidon threw his head back with laughter. "Certainly quite the lady killer. I can't recall a man ever refusing her. Normally it's the other way around. Half the council has tried and failed."

"My hands are full as it is," I said with a shrug. "Besides, I'm not a fan of getting blackmailed and manipulated into someone's puppet."

"She's certainly past that point," Hestia said. "Though they asked me to tell you a bit more, I think it would be better said in private."

"Alright, I can take a hint. But I believe we have a more pressing matter at the moment."

"Indeed," Hestia sighed. "Thalia and Zoë have made a fair bit of progress with the nymphs. And I imagine Calypso would be quite eager to see more of the world."

I snickered. "You have no idea."

We returned to the group. Athena was still in a discussion with Annabeth while the others were trying to welcome our newest members. Kinzie seemed to get along with them famously, laughing with Rachel and Reyna. The same couldn't be said for Phoebe, who was sulking along with Drew by the entrance. Katie was trying to make conversation with her, to no avail.

"Everyone!" I called. "We'll have time to talk about all of this later. Right now, we need to get back to the island. Gather any last bit of belongings you can find. We're going to take the nymphs to Camp Half-Blood."

"Are you sure about that?" Piper said. "Camp isn't exactly the wilderness."

"It's as good a starting point as any. Plus, we need a place to settle down, even if temporarily."

Several nodded and started linking their arms. Kinzie cocked her head skeptically, but accepted Reyna's hand nonetheless.

Drew stood up reluctantly and made her way to the rest of us, not quite reaching out to grab someone's hand, but Silena took it upon herself to reach out.

Phoebe, however, was a different story.

I walked up to the silent huntress, not quite sure what to say. As much as I wanted to comfort her, I knew any attempt would likely result in a knife against my jugular, and I had no intentions of repeating that.

"There's nothing I can say that will make you feel better, so I'm not going to try. That said, I'd be grateful if you came with us. Thalia and Zoë will definitely be happy to see you."

She tensed and turned to me with angry amber eyes. "So it's true. You have Zoë as a slave!"

I raised my hands before she could pulverize me. "Look, just talk to them. We're actually on very good terms."

Her lip quivered. Angry tears streamed down her cheeks. "If I find out you defiled her…"

"Look, not to sound like a broken record, but I didn't want any of this. If they disbanded the harem, I'd be all the happier for it. But I didn't get a choice in the matter."

"My dear," Hestia said, startling me from behind. "Percy is the last person who would try to hurt you. Zoë is doing quite well. You're angry, and I understand. What Hades did to you is unforgivable. But you cannot blame Percy for this. Take some time. Rest. But I imagine you would fare far better with your companions at your side."

Phoebe's fists quaked at her sides, her knuckles white. "Fine." She let out a deep breath. "Take me to them."

"We're currently in the process of freeing a bunch of nymphs from a slaver island. They're currently working on a ritual to move their life sources."

"The obsidian splinter," Phoebe muttered. "I know it well."

"Which reminds me—" I turned to Hestia "—we still need to—"

"Already taken care of. Hephaestus delivered a crate of it a little bit ago."

"Good. Thank you. If that's done, then…" I reached a hand to Phoebe, who looked at it like I just slapped Artemis.

"Perhaps not quite yet," Hestia said, taking Phoebe's hand into one of her own. Her other took mine, and she led us back to the group.

Annabeth reached out to me with a strained smile. I eagerly grasped her hand and took a deep breath.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice filled with concern.

"Probably not."

"Hey." She leaned her head on my shoulder. "We'll figure it out. We always do."

I smiled at her attempt to cheer me up, but my heart wasn't in it. For all we accomplished, I couldn't help but feel like we were back to where we started, only worse off. No home. No time. And a new pair of women I barely know. What could there possibly be to gripe about?

"Close your eyes everyone," Hestia called. "Poseidon, if you would be so kind."

He nodded and struck the floor with the butt of his trident. One by one, the girls vanished into vapor. Hestia mirrored him, igniting into a pillar of flame. Right before I could once more be consumed by her radiant fire, I had enough time for a single lingering thought.

For better or worse, this changes everything.

A/N: Eyyyyy, what's up everyone? How's this for a holiday treat? Lots of drama, lots of chaos, lots of very big moments in here... Well... Relatively speaking. The truth is told. Punishments are dealt. Zeus is an asshole to literally everyone. All is right in the world.

Now for a Discord server secret. It's been known for months that Hazel and Bianca were getting traded out. Consider it one of the few things I'll say I wasn't happy with, but couldn't go back and change. But with Kinzie and Phoebe along for the ride, we get two very unique and extremely underutilized characters. Give them a chance before you come screaming for blood because you didn't get to see the innocent Hazel get fucked into oblivion.

Believe it or not, there's a part two to this gift. You know how Apollo was talking about the events with the oracle? Well, wouldn't it be nice if we actually got to see what happened to Rachel when it occurred? Well, now you can. Head on over to A Lover's Companion, written by my writing buddy in crime.

Give the guy some love while you're there. It really means a lot.

I sincerely hope you all enjoyed this chapter and are excited to see where it goes from here. And whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, something else, or nothing at all, I wish you all the very best. May your New Year be joyful and your reviews be plenty. This is Ronin signing off.