Athena brought her hands to her head as another shock zipped down her neck. Wincing, she removed her helmet as she gazed deep into the mirror in her study. The physical markings had long since vanished, Apollo's brilliant handiwork cleansing her skin of all signs of weakness. Still, every once in a while, her mind would have a fit, like the connections within her godly brain had never quite healed properly. While not nearly as debilitating as it had been in the Roman years, Apollo still had not found a cure, though it certainly wasn't for lack of trying.

The shocks returned with a vitriol that she had not felt in centuries. It was a danger that she needed to traverse any time she wished to get lost in her library of memories, many contaminated by the eternal lightning stored within Zeus' Master Bolt. Despite her years of study, she had yet to figure out how she survived. A powerful weapon capable of defeating Typhon should have scattered her essence such that even forming a consciousness would have been impossible, cursing her to meander the closest thing to hell that an immortal could experience.

Instead, as the overpowering fire of electricity overtook her, Odysseus came to her mind. He alone was the reason she was willing to undergo her father's foolish games, a last desperate attempt at atonement. Then, as she was shattered into a million pieces, an invisible thread pulled her back together, her first friend acting like a beacon that held her together. In all her millennia of study, reading every book in every divine and mortal language, none of it could explain what happened. Yet, as she crawled on hands and knees to her father to plead her case, it was the only time she had ever seen remorse on his face, a last desperate hope that he wasn't gone.

In her insatiable search for knowledge, she had even prostrated herself before Aphrodite to see if it was related to some uniquely human element she could never truly understand. The fickle and fleeting nature of mortal emotions would forever remain an enigma, but it was the only possible explanation. All other plausible reasons had become exhausted.

"Who knows?" Aphrodite had dismissed her without a second glance. "Love is fickle, but even you are not above such intense feelings."

Athena scoffed at such a ridiculous notion. Yet, in the centuries since their conversation, Athena had gotten no closer to finding answers or a cure. She winced as another shock ran through her. Two in one day was rare, but it was no surprise considering her recollections about Odysseus. A soft pang of…something ran through her as she thought of him. Of all the Warriors of the Mind she had cultivated, he was by far the most special. Yet, at the end of the day, all that became of his story was what the world now called The Odyssey. A tragic figure with a happy ending. She wished she could parse the truth with the precision she possessed before her injury. Now, the further back in time she went, the more her memories became muddled together.

She didn't even notice that her breathing had picked up. Memories of that fight with her father began to flood her as the tingling of another shock reared itself. Shakily, she swallowed, her face flushing golden as beads of sweat lined her forehead. These sorts of…attacks were rare, but she'd get lost in thought occasionally, and her body would respond with weakness.

Athena clenched her jaw as she placed her golden helmet back onto her head. She was a goddess and had responsibilities. Time had changed the world, the Gods being little more than remnants of their former selves in the public mind. They possessed all the same power, but the Gods were no longer respected because of the stricter enforcement of the Ancient Laws. After Odysseus, legendary heroes had become separated from their parentage. Of course, the fact that most world-changers had been her children filled her with pride, sharpening the world through their creativity and intellect.

"The boy is following again," Glauca, her owl, flew onto her shoulder to deliver her report. "I cannot be near without him noticing."

The corners of Athena's lips turned upward. "Interesting. Does he know?"

The owl shook her head. "I don't think so, but he seems perceptive and incredibly resourceful. I can assure you he is a demigod."

Athena pursed her lips, allowing Glauca's report to percolate. There was something strange about the boy. For one thing, he wasn't hers, but he was incredibly resourceful, and his instincts were immaculate. He only carried a celestial bronze knife; his backstory was an enigma. Curiously, it was a few weeks prior that he had prayed to her directly. Mysteries were captivating, a way to add to her collection of knowledge.

"I'll be going out," Athena told Glauca. "Make sure none of the other gods mess with my private library."

"As you wish, my lady," Glauca hooted happily. "Might I ask where you're going?"

"Annabeth is turning sixteen. I must bestow her with her gift. Would you go fetch it for me?"

Glauca gave a slight bow before leaving. They both knew that Athena could have just summoned it for herself if she wanted, but the goddess couldn't shake the enigma of the boy. Demigods shouldn't have been able to survive on their own for very long. Yet he was thriving and had at least some knowledge of his identity. It wasn't exactly hidden that she was the patron of heroes, but any demigod who knew that would have found himself in a monster's stomach by the age of ten.

A shock brought her hands to her head in frustration. Why had she allowed this to happen? It made sense that gods couldn't interfere directly with their children. The grief tantrums of Poseidon and Zeus over the millennia made that clear, but why were monsters allowed to roam and torment the young demigods?

Another strong zap made her hands tremble. What had she been thinking about? She shook her head, trying to evaporate the fog that overtook her. Scowling, she cursed. She was as sharp as ever guiding mortals. However, discovering mysteries about herself or the gods always resulted in the same painful reaction.

Glauca, noticing Athena's wince, returned with a New York Yankees baseball cap, carried in her sharp beak. "What's wrong?"

Athena waved her off. "It's nothing. Just got lost in thought again."

She waved her hand over the cap as it began to shimmer. Smiling, she inspected her work. It would be perfect for Annabeth. Of all her children, Annabeth was unrivaled in combat, strategy, and wit. The ability to turn invisible would be ideal for her. Many of her other children, especially in the recent centuries, had been far more apt to other activities such as painting, the arts, and politics. From what she had heard about Camp, her children excelled with nearly all types of weaponry, and their memories were immaculate.

As she prepared for her departure, there was a slight knock on the study door. Sighing, she opened it, hoping whoever it was would leave quickly.

"The Master Bolt has been stolen." Hermes was out of breath and flushed. "Zeus is furious. He needs you to go and search for it. Ares, Artemis, Apollo, and others are already out and about."

Athena pinched the bridge of her nose at the news. Her father had become even more irritable since the mortals rejected paganism. Now, he'd be completely insufferable and ask her for advice. While she was always happy to advise her king, any time he'd summon her specifically, she'd leave with a foggy recollection of how things had gone.

"I'll go looking for it. Any idea where the others are?" Athena said. "I'm just going to stop by Camp first. Things have been amiss for a while, and it is my daughter's birthday today."

Hermes pulled out his Caduceus, transformed it into a cell phone, and checked his messages. "No idea, but I haven't heard from them. If you want to avoid Dad, I'd suggest you get going."

With a nod, Athena put the cap on her desk. Much easier to summon if she knew the location, even if her mind was foggy. "Thank you for the warning, Hermes. Try not to work yourself to death. Apparently, the mortals have discovered something called burnout. I wonder if it afflicts you."

Hermes just raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you care about my well-being?"

"Since it looked like you were about to keel over and die. Then no one would be around to deliver messages," Athena said.

Hermes grumbled. "The internet was the worst thing I ever invented. Makes my job so much harder."

"I warned you it would," Athena chided.

"Whatever, just go find the bolt so Dad isn't breathing down our necks."

As Athena nodded, Hermes flashed away. Great, exactly what she needed. Another crisis, and on a day where her shocks were worse than they had been in centuries. Snacking on some nectar and ambrosia, she disappeared quickly, hoping to avoid Zeus' unrestrained ire.

Everyone in her cabin immediately bowed, but none did so quicker than Annabeth. A small smile flickered across Athena's face at the cleanliness of her children. They all had talents, but they were all uniquely hers, crafted from her mind exquisitely and immaculately. Their piercing gray eyes all looked at her, awaiting further instructions.

"At ease," Athena said. "I must speak with Annabeth for a moment, that is all."

The remainder of her children returned to what they were doing, the bustling of a busy cabin returning. Athena frowned slightly, the raucous noise uncharacteristically bothering her. She sighed, thinking it would be one of those days that sleep might be beneficial. Gods weren't supposed to need sleep, but it was the only way for her to truly "reset" on shocking days.

Annabeth remained on one knee, her head bowed, motionless, awaiting further instructions. Athena allowed a small smile to come across her face. Indeed, no child of hers, at least of this generation, would deserve such a worthy gift.

"Rise, my child," Athena said. "Happy birthday."

Reaching through her domains, she found her desk, right where she left the cap, and pulled it through time and space. Annabeth's jaw dropped as it materialized in her hand, unsure of what to do.

"Thanks, Mother," Annabeth replied stiffly. "What does it do?"

"Now, now," Athena chided. "Since when have I explained things up front? Of all my children, you should know this above all."

"Right," Annabeth said. "Sorry, mother."

The iciness in her daughter's tone made Athena pause. Should she not be thoroughly thrilled to see her mother for the first time? Especially on such an important day, marking the beginning of her official journey into womanhood. Athena sighed. Godly emotions were complicated enough as they were, but mortal emotions would forever remain an enigma.

"Have you considered what you would like to do for the remainder of your life?" Athena asked. "How will you make your mark on the world?"

Annabeth's eyes brightened slightly, though they still held a harsh edge. "Yes, Mother, I want to be an architect. To build a monument to the gods that will last a thousand years."

"Architecture, then?"

Annabeth nodded. "Yes, I believe that is my gift. Thank you."

"Good choice, daughter." Athena praised. "One must spend their life building and creating to leave something behind that did not exist prior. Many of my fellow Olympians find greater glory in destruction. Be sharper than some of my foolish relatives."

"You shall find my blessing within your birthday present," she continued. "It will help you in your endeavors, so long as they remain constructive."

"Yes, mother."

"Good, now then. I hope you enjoy the rest of your day. There has been a little mishap on Olympus that I must attend to, but I hope your siblings treat you well." The eyes of the owl on the cabin door flared, the stone pupils turning a stormy gray like her own. "I shall know if they do not."

A small smile crept onto Annabeth's face. 'I will, mom." She opened her mouth but closed it almost immediately, unsure what to say. Instead, she opted for another small bow as she turned and returned inside the cabin.

"Oh joy, what are you doing here?" Dionysus's grating voice rang out. "This is my Camp, you know?"

"I didn't realize you had become so fond of the children. Perhaps I should invite Zeus to lengthen your sojournment?" Athena retorted. "I merely came to wish my daughter a happy birthday."

Dionysus scowled. "I'm going to repeat myself. What are you doing here? Our father is furious."

"Oh, relax," Athena spat. "I have split myself to assist in the search. I merely needed a fraction to grant my daughter a gift for her sixteenth birthday. I know that you have twins. You would have done the same."

Smirking, she summoned a small goblet of wine. The horrid taste nearly made her recoil, but the look of indignation on Dionysus's face made it all worth it. Finishing, she forced a smile as the wine god began to turn the same shade as his grapes.

"I could report you to Zeus for this!" He yelled. "He'll want to know why you haven't been searching!"

"I'm sure he'd take the word of his drunkard son over his most loyal advisor," Athena said with a smirk. "Especially when he could prove that alcohol has been involved. I'd suggest you keep your mouth shut."

Dionysus looked ready to explode, but he said nothing. Instead, he stalked off towards the Big House, muttering obscenities about owls that nearly made her want to spear him anyway.

The only thing that stopped her was Chiron standing between them, deep in a bow.

"Lady Athena," he said. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"It is Annabeth's sixteenth birthday, so I decided to deliver her present personally," she said. "It is custom that I deliver my children a present as they come of age."

Chiron shifted uncomfortably. "Lady Athena, you know that coming of age is eighteen, right?"

"Of course I know that," she said. "But sixteen is the beginning of such a process, and especially with the lives of our young heroes being as they are, I think sixteen is more than sufficient in transitioning them to adulthood. Now, do not accuse me of such foolishness again."

"Yes, Lady Athena," Chiron said, though his tone was icy. "I have heard rumors from Olympus. Are they true?"

Athena nodded. "Yes, though I ask that you keep it a secret from the campers. I suspect the weather will begin to worsen." On cue, a thunderclap boomed in the air. Chiron paled as his worst fears were confirmed. "We are currently searching, though if I must be honest, I doubt we shall find it. The Fates themselves must wish it found, and if they do, a quest will be issued."

"You could do it." Chiron reasoned. "You and I both know that Fate arrives whether we like it or not, but to live in such a way would be foolish beyond belief."

"I fear it is not wise to issue the quest immediately," Athena said. "That may set into motion events that can never be undone."

A soft breeze drifted through Camp as a smile crept onto Chiron's face. "Unfortunately, I fear these events will happen whether we like them or not."

Athena nodded as another sharp shock went through her head. Her eye twitched in response, unwilling to show weakness in front of the trainer of heroes. Once again, the boy Glauca had described came to the forefront of her mind. He was connected to things; she could feel it in her bones, though if he were a foe, she would have no problem ending his life where he stood.

"But we must do everything we can to prepare our heroes," Athena said, fighting the fog that accompanied the shocks. "To not prepare is preparing to fail." As she opened her mouth to voice her concern about the relative lack of godly involvement in the training of heroes, another vicious shock rang through her, forcing her to wince.

"Lady Athena, are you alright?" Chiron asked, concern in his eyes. "If things are serious, I can go get Lord Apollo or get you some ambrosia."

Faking a smile, Athena steadied herself, the searing pain dissipating as she allowed the thought to vanish. "It's quite alright, just a little difficult when I split myself in so many ways."

Chiron frowned, unconvinced, though he did not press, much to Athena's gratitude. "I see. Do you have any idea who may be behind the theft? I find it highly unlikely that our young heroes could orchestrate such a heist without godly assistance."

"I have a few ideas," Athena reasoned. "None to be confirmed, but it would be wise to begin with examinations of my father's brothers. Hades has always remained bitter, and Poseidon has attempted to overthrow the throne once before."

Chiron opened his mouth but quickly shut it. If she had to guess, Athena would bet that he wanted to mention her involvement in the plot. However, her memory of it was incredibly hazy. "That would make sense, although I am unsure when the opportunity would have arisen. Perhaps an immortal not of the godly ilk?"

Athena shook her head. "While possible, I don't find it likely. The Titans are either imprisoned or too weak to garner any serious support. Additionally, while I do not pretend to understand many of our heroes, I do not believe that they would take guidance from any but the most manipulative. Plus, there is the small matter that there were no unusual visitors to Olympus. At the very least, no one of Titan's blood was there. That also includes known neutrals such as Hecate."

"Thank you, my lady," Chiron said. "I simply wish to grant any potential hero with the knowledge necessary to accept the quest."

Athena sighed. "Perhaps, although I suspect that the order for a quest will come from my father. The quest would be a far safer alternative than whatever would happen to someone who denies him will say."

Chiron raised an eyebrow. "You sound like you're speaking from experience, my lady."

"I guess you could say that," she said. "Though that's just general knowledge among the Olympians. Saying no to a king is a very unwise thing indeed. We must be as cautious as possible."

"As usual, you are right," Chiron said. "Is there any other wisdom you wish to bestow, or should I get to my Archery class?"

"At ease," Athena said. "My business is done here. Just teach the children to be cautious. I have faith in your abilities."

"Then I wish you a blessed day, my lady," Chiron said. "I do hope that whatever ails you is resolved shortly."

"I am a goddess; there is nothing wrong with me." Athena snapped, though Chiron did not flinch.

"I did not imply any such thing, my lady," Chiron said, turning towards the Archery range. "Please forgive me."

With one final bow, he did not wait for a response, instead trotting towards his class. With a small smile, Athena noticed how her children handled the weapons. They did not possess the same natural affinity as many children of Apollo or of herself, but they were serviceable. Excellence was attained through perfect repetition, and nothing less than the best could be accepted.

Taking one final look around Camp, she couldn't shake the slight dread that made her nervously bite her lip. Chiron seeing right through her was a problem, though she suspected the trainer of Heroes would have the decency to keep quiet. Instead, every minute that passed without news about the Master Bolt made her anxiety flare. Her usual coldness was slipping, tendrils of panic crawling into her mind. Allowing simple emotions to occupy important mental space in a crisis was unacceptable.

Closing her eyes, she returned to her study for a brief respite before further investigating the young demigod in the woods. Glauca could tell her where he was, and then her plan could be set in motion to see if his enigmatic qualities were merely a facade.

Donning a pair of jeans and a blue t-shirt, Athena scowled. As much as she would have preferred to wear what the maidens of Greece wore, she would have stood out too much. If the boy was as brilliant as she suspected, he'd see right through her, rendering her challenge inert. Instead, she was forced to wear the restrictive clothing of the mortal maidens. Combine that with a fake splint for her ankle, and it was no wonder she was already feeling a little antsy.

She sat on a large stump in the middle of a spacious clearing. Glauca was already in pursuit. Now, it was up to him to notice. According to Glauca, the boy had been slaying nearly every monster in his path with nothing other than his knife. Save one. The Minotaur. She was curious whether the boy would find a way to slay the beast or if he would run as she asked for his protection.

Of course, running would be the wisest course of action, and the boy had been stellar thus far. Now, though, when forced to face the hideous beast, his wit would need to combine with his instincts. He would be at a disadvantage, just like many armies when ambushed. Thinking on his feet would be just as important as planned traps. What would he do when he didn't have the advantage but escape was impossible?

A faint hoot in the woods told Athena that her time was coming. Acting was always enjoyable, and now she could just pretend and observe her subject, able to vanish should danger get too close. If the boy died in the effort, then he wasn't a worthy candidate to be a Warrior of the Mind in the first place. Then, his godly parent would be responsible for his blood if it painted the dirt red.

"What did you want to show me?" The boy's voice rang out through the woods as Glauca flew through the final layer of trees. "I've seen you around everywhere, but you haven't tried to kill me."

Athena frowned at the boy's lack of caution, though she supposed he was right. Her owl had been watching him for weeks, so if Glauca wanted to kill him, she would have already done so. Plus, the boy seemed naturally curious, and his voice oozed confidence. Now, though, it was time to see. The Minotaur was already on its way, something the boy would likely be aware of with his keen perception.

The boy barreled through the trees, his chest heaving. His face was glistening, though he did not seem exhausted. That was good. Tired but not exhausted was the perfect condition to plan. It was when the body could find its rhythm, allowing the mind to work freely. His inquisitive gaze found Athena, and his eyes filled with concern.

"What are you doing out here?" He asked softly. "It isn't safe for you out here."

"I got lost," Athena said, changing her voice to mimic a typical twelve-year-old girl. "Please, can you help me get home?"

The boy nodded, though his eyes kept glancing at the opening of trees he had just come from. "Yes, I can. What's your name?"

"Annabeth," Athena lied, trembling for effect. "What's yours?"

"Percy," He said. "Can you move? I think something bad is coming, and I don't want you to get hurt."

Athena pulled up the leg of her jeans, revealing her splint. "Only if you can carry me," she said.

Percy sighed as he crouched beside her, examining the injury closely but not touching it. His eyes darted back towards the rustling of the trees, far too close to make a hasty escape. He pulled out one of his knives, made of regular steel rather than celestial bronze.

"I hope you don't need to use this," he said as he handed it over. "But things might get messy. We've got an awful monster on the way. I'm sorry I accidentally led it to you."

Athena nodded, watching with anticipation as Percy surveyed his surroundings. He pulled out his celestial bronze knife from a holster on the waistband of his jeans. Adopting a grip like he had trained for years, he immediately created some distance between himself and her.

"I'm not going anywhere," he said. "But the monster is after me, and if I'm close to you, he might attack you instead. So don't worry, okay? It'll all work out."

Athena simply watched, nodding in line with her part. That was definitely a check in the right direction. With a creature as powerful as the Minotaur, collateral damage was unavoidable. She smiled to herself as he passed the first test. At the very least, he was willing to look out for others, even at risk to himself. After all, he'd only need to keep running for another hour before the beast would lie down to rest for a couple days.

The Minotaur barreled through the trees as smoke billowed from his nostrils. His bare muscles rippled with rage as his black pupils found Percy. Narrowing his eyes, the beast lowered his head, eager to find its target.

Meanwhile, Percy had found some cover by one of the trees. Close enough to distract the monster from noticing her but far enough that the beast would need to work up a full head of steam if it wanted to reach him before he disappeared. Of course, if the animal had any brains, it would scan the surroundings and notice her. Although considering how easily Theseus had tricked it, Athena guessed that the beast had not learned its lesson.

The Minotaur began to charge as Percy readied himself in a stance. It was unusual, different from any form she had taught her children, but at first glance, it seemed practical. Instead of operating from a position of power, he was light on his feet, ready to dart out of the way at a moment's notice. His movements were fluid, like the water, as he stood still, waiting for the monster to arrive.

At the last second, Percy dove out of the way. The Minotaur, who had finally hit high gear, could not turn and drove straight into a massive Oak tree. The resounding crash from the impact reverberated throughout the clearing, echoing off the neighboring forest. Percy approached the beast from behind, ready to strike with his knife.

Unfortunately, the Minotaur was more sturdy than he looked. He flailed around, striking Percy in the process. While the demigod held control of the knife, his breathing looked labored. Using her godly hearing, she could hear him gasping for air as he winced, bringing his hand to his ribs.

The Minotaur huffed in satisfaction as he lowered his head again. Percy gritted his teeth as he adopted the same stance. This time, though, his feet were pointed directly at the creature, preparing an attack from below. Athena smiled slightly at the attempt, curious if the new method would succeed.

Instead, the Minotaur held his arms out as he charged, just as Percy predicted. Athena placed herself into his mind, allowing her intelligence to read his. His legs tensed as he dropped to a roll, ready to slash the beast's massive leg. Percy ducked below the grab as time slowed, slashing at the beast's inner thigh. However, the shortcomings of the plan quickly became apparent.

The ripping of flesh and the pouring of golden blood meant that he found his target, but now he was in danger. Using his massive leg, the Minotaur kneed Percy square in the chest, sending a sickening crunch echoing throughout the clearing. A small grunt of pain escaped as he gritted his teeth.

The Minotaur stumbled as he placed weight on his damaged leg, his pace slowing with a limp. His gaze turned murderous as the sound of an angry cow escaped from his snout. Percy turned his eyes toward Athena, still unnoticed by the beast, as he prepared another attack. His mind was racing, though Athena was pleased as his next plan came to fruition. Additionally, no thoughts of abandoning her even crossed his mind, another mark in his favor.

Wincing, Percy stared at the beast as he backed up toward the tree. It was a crazy plan, but Athena agreed it was the best option considering the circumstances. He was covered in bruises and cuts and had several broken ribs. Hot shooting pains went through him with every breath, but he had a job to do.

"Hey, stupid!" Percy yelled, sucking air. "Is that all you got?"

The Minotaur roared in response, falling for the bait. He pawed the ground angrily, preparing another charge. Golden ichor flowed from the wound, leaving a slowly growing pool of gold in the middle of the grassy ravine. At a slower pace, the beast charged again, cautious from the injury. He held out his arms like before, unwilling to fall for the same trick twice. Percy stood, a taunting smile still on his face, goading the bull forward as he maneuvered closer to the tree behind him.

This time, Percy jumped as the beast approached. As it collided with a teeth-shattering impact, the demigod landed on the beast's back and placed him in an unshakeable headlock. Percy gritted his teeth as the beast roared in indignation. Still, Athena smiled as the boy realized the monster could only go forward.

The Minotaur began to thrash violently, reaching his arms back in a desperate attempt to throw Percy off, but the demigod held on. Gripping the monster's neck with one arm, he drew back his knife and plunged it into its eye socket.

A roar of agony escaped the creature as golden blood began to pour from its eyes. Percy's eyes glinted as he pulled out his knife, admiring the ichor flowing from it. Not satisfied, he plunged it into the monster's other eye socket, rendering it blind. Percy wrapped his second arm around the creature as it began to howl. The monster's large hands began ripping at Percy's forearms, desperate to throw him off. It began barreling into trees, now blind, running deeper into the forest, the knife now firmly lodged in the beast's skull.

Athena watched with interest, curious how Percy would deliver the final blow. After all, if he let go, he'd risk falling off and letting the monster heal. While he had performed admirably thus far, she'd have to fail him if the beast got away. She smiled as Percy's final crazy plan was revealed to her.

Instead of letting go, Percy simply drove the knife further into the creature's eye socket. His arm was soaked in the monster's blood as he pushed it deeper, agonized howls escaping. Yet Percy did not look phased, instead ignoring the pain in his ribs and shoulders and forcing it into the creature's brain. Good, Athena thought. Don't allow the agony of an enemy to distract you.

With one final roar, the Minotaur vanished in a burst of golden dust. Percy fell to the ground with a grunt, grabbing his ribs in pain. All that remained was a singular horn, the spoil of war. Wincing, Percy stood up, holding his rightful trophy, and Athena could sense him coming back to the clearing to check on her.

"Are you alright?" Percy asked, trying to hide his wince. "The monster is gone now."

Athena dropped the act, drawing herself up to her full height. Her clothes slowly began to morph into their Greek equivalent, a white chiton draping over her royally. She summoned her spear, holding it before her, the golden point standing just above her eye level. Satisfied, she flicked her hand, allowing her energy to flow into Percy to heal his wounds. It was only fair, after all.

Percy bowed, though his lips only uttered one question. "My lady, was the owl yours?"

Glauca landed on her shoulder, the owl's beady eyes looking at the demigod in front of her with approval. "Yes," Athena answered with a smile. "So I take it I don't need to introduce myself?"

"Thank you, Lady Athena, for the healing," Percy said. "Goddess of Wisdom, Patron of heroes and the Arts."

"I must admit, you are an enigma, and I have several questions for you," Athena began. "But first," she held out her hand, inviting Percy to grip. Tentatively, he took the goddess's hand, clearly uncomfortable as he closed his eyes.

Athena allowed herself to melt through time and space for her personal study. It was tradition for all of her Warriors, and by all accounts, Percy had passed the test. His touch was definitely foreign, usually an unwelcome gesture, but she could not feel any malice from the boy. Plus, considering how awful her shocks had been, she didn't want to risk anything being slightly off. Not when she'd have so many eyes on her.

In an instant, they had teleported to her study. Percy let go of her hand as his jaw dropped. Athena smirked at the flabbergasted young man next to her. Nevertheless, he was by far the most promising pupil she had ever seen who wasn't one of her own children, and even among them, he had the potential to be special.

"Welcome to my study," Athena announced. "Also known as the training grounds for Warriors of the Mind."

AN: Hey ya'll, thanks for reading. I had this idea percolating in my head after watching Epic, and while I despise Rick's characterization of Athena, Jorge did such a great job with her that I HAD to write a redemption arc. Obligatory I don't own the characters of either Franchise. As always, comments, favorites, and reviews are always appreciated!