Answers to reviews:
Lord Mistfire: I'll update this as best as I can. I do have other stories to think about.
Guest: Now.
Nys: Still working on that. But why would Nico be in Helheim of all places?
BeoWolf666: Thanks.
Nicholas: Not sure yet. I am still planning on ways to introduce the Norse Gods into the story.
1102Mike: A normal woman that caught Thor's attention. She died when Jakob was young, which is why he ended up in Asgard to be raised.
Zagras: I'll consider her for the harem.
Guest: Well, here it is.
hellfire45: Thanks.
Guest: I might bring it back at some point.
Direbeast37: Hmm, not a bad choice, I suppose.
jesseazzopardi54: I'm working on that. But right now, the Leviathan Axe and Blades of Chaos will do him for now.
Halotf8401: Yep.
Sheploo: Both are as bad, but the Aesir don't try to hide what they've done and make themselves out to be the good guys.
sniperbro1998: Yup.
22jward: Here you go.
vulcran: Holy shit, I didn't know about that. the Olympians have way too many stories to mention. And like Jakob said, if he went into all of the things Artemis has done, they'd be there forever.
The Tell-Tale Man: Only to those he doesn't respect. Do remember, he was raised in Asgard, trained by Thor who was FAR from a loving father. He was abused, trained very harshly that it would make the Spartan training look like kindergarten.
Disclaimer: I do not own God of War or Percy Jackson and the Olympians. I only own the OC Jakob Thorsson.
After dinner Capture the Flag had begun, with the campers taking the west woods and the Hunters taking the east woods. The campers placed their flag at the top of Zeus's Fist. Though it was a good place for the flag, given the top boulder was twenty feet tall and difficult to climb, but Jakob doubted it'd be trouble for the Hunters to reach the top or find a way to knock the flag down.
Jakob stood on the sidelines to watch the game, though he stood alone, having found a good vantage point to watch the game. His eyes were mainly on his friends, to see how their progress in their abilities, how far they've come.
"You look like a mentor wanting to look proud of his students." A familiar voice said, causing him to look and see Hestia in her child form standing there with a soft smile on her face.
"Hestia." Jakob nodded at her in greeting.
"Lady Hestia." Mimir piped up from the position Jakob had placed the head on so he could watch the game, Jakob turning the head so he could see Hestia. "A very lovely day when you're around."
Hestia giggled at that. "Flattering of you to say, Mimir. But it's not the first time I've heard that kind of talk."
"That's fair to say, milady." Mimir chuckled.
"What can I do for you?" Jakob asked curiously. "You never really come to watch these."
Hestia winked at him. "Just because I'm not around doesn't mean I'm not watching. I always watch over the children during these games. There was a time where they were more... brutal and bloody thanks to Ares' children, so we had to have the game become more friendly."
Jakob wanted to say something about that but bit back a retort, even if it stung his nature to do so. Games were for little boys and girls sitting at home on their was real life. They were demigods, training to survive in the world beyond this camp. It was a shame how they didn't have the experience he did. He had fought countless monsters in his lands, and become a strong, skilled and powerful warrior from it all. But these kids? They treated it like this was some sort of game.
At least his friends weren't like that.
"But if you don't mind me asking, what happened between you and Artemis?" Hestia asked while looking at Jakob, having felt something change in her niece a few nights ago and felt that Jakob was involved.
Even now she could sense Artemis' emotions from where she stood. The Goddess of the Moon was a jumble of emotions, trying to push it aside to focus on the game and hope for her Hunters to win again. It was a far cry from her usual focused and reserved demeanour.
"I simply told her the truth that she had been ignoring for centuries." Jakob said bluntly, crossing his arms. "The truth being how selfish she is."
"Artemis is a good and kind girl. Does she have her flaws? Yes. But she also has many positive traits and qualities." Said Hestia, knowing compared to most of the gods, Artemis is one of the more sympathetic and selfless Olympians.
"Kallisto and Atalanta would disagree." Jakob said darkly, causing Hestia to fall silent before frowning sadly.
"…That's it then." Hestia muttered, now realizing what must've happened and why her niece feels more subdued and closed off.
While Hestia truly loved her entire family, she wasn't blind to their faults or the terrible things they've done throughout history. And one of the things she truly hated was what Zeus and Aphrodite did to those poor girls. With Zeus raping Artemis's best friend and Aphrodite all but forcing one of her followers into a marriage she didn't want. Though she could never truly hate her family, Hestia did feel disappointed, avoiding both of them for a few centuries, unable to even stand being in their presence.
Even worse was what happened to Kallisto, what Artemis did to her had only further disappointed Hestia. Especially since she'd been able to guess what would happen to Kallisto if Artemis simply sent her away. She would've been targeted by Hera just for the fact she was one of Zeus's lovers, no matter how unwilling she had been, and pregnant with his child. Even if Hera saw for herself the pain and despair Kallisto went through, she wouldn't care as she'd let her jealousy and anger control her.
Though Hestia didn't say anything to Artemis nor did she avoid her like she did with Zeus and Aphrodite, after what they did. Having sensed that despite her actions, her niece felt her own pain and sadness at what she did, leaving the Hearth Goddess unable to make her feel even more sorrow.
"Those girls needed her, and Artemis did nothing." Jakob said coldly. "If she gets upset over finally realizing that, then good. It still doesn't compare to the pain she's caused onto others."
Hestia sighed. "Just…please try and give her a chance before judging her." She said, hoping he'd be willing to give Artemis a chance.
"This is me giving her a chance. What'll happen next depends on her." Jakob said, knowing he's giving Artemis a chance to show what she's really like.
This made the Hearth Goddess sigh but nod, figuring that's the best she'll be able to get, but had confidence in Artemis being able to show she is good.
Focusing back on the game, she smiled as she watched her nieces, Andromeda, Thalia and Bianca. Compared to their fathers, those three girls managed to get along well and work together. "You trained them well." She stated.
"I know." Jakob said with a small smile. "They've tapped into more of their potential for being children of Zeus, Poseidon and Hades. And don't forget Katie, Silena or Annabeth. Each demigod has potential no matter who their Godly parent is."
Hestia nodded at that, agreeing with him fully. No matter the God, their children had the potential to be quite formidable. And she has seen that from the likes of Silena and Katie.
Focusing back on the game, Jakob watched with a smirk as the game went in the demigods' favor, before he saw Thalia successfully cross the river, with the Hunters' flag.
"Attagirl." Jakob said proudly, watching his friends celebrate.
The Hunters exited the woods with dejected and downcast expressions, with Zoe being the worst. With the Lieutenant being completely soaked, after Andromeda sent a wave at her, when she tried crossing the border, with the campers' flag. What made it even worse, was that not even a moment, after it happened, Thalia and Annabeth came running across the river, with the Hunters' flag, with the daughter of Zeus happily rubbing it, in her face.
"Forgive us My Lady, we failed you." Zoe said, with the Hunters bowing their heads to their patron.
"It-it's alright Zoe, you all did your best." Said Artemis, still shocked that her Hunters lost.
Meanwhile, Jakob approached his friends, scooping his girlfriend into his arms and spinning her around. "You all did fantastic!" He praised, making them very happy, not even the jealousy of Silena in his arms diminished their happiness at beating the Hunters.
"Finally, we've got something to lord over their heads." Silena said with a triumphant smirk towards the Hunters. "That'll teach them."
"But we can't forget that Jakob's strategies worked." Annabeth pointed out.
Jakob shook his head. "Not just that, but your teamwork. You all looked out for each other, respected your roles, saw an opening to take advantage and you all carried each other along the way. You all did very well." He said, making them smile brightly at him before the engulfed him in a group hug. "Okay, group hug."
"Yes, yes, congratulations to all of you for winning. Now-" Said Dionysus, rolling his eyes, though possessed a barely noticeable smirk at the Hunters finally being defeated.
Only for the Wine God to stop as he and Artemis looked up, sensing that they were being summoned to Olympus, making them exchange a look at what's happened now.
"Chiron, make sure the brats don't end up killing each other before we get back." Said Dionysus before teleporting away.
"Zoe, see that the Hunters are gathered up and return to the cabin to wait my return." Artemis said before teleporting away as well.
"Has Apollo not arrived yet?" Artemis asked, wondering if anyone's seen him, with the Olympians either shrugging or shaking their heads while Zeus grunted in annoyance.
"No matter, let's proceed. Hermes, why did you call for a meeting?" Demanded Zeus, annoyed at another unauthorized meeting being called, even more so if it has to do with another Pantheon intruding on their territory.
Only for everyone to look at the Messenger God in confusion or concern at noticing just how pale he looked, along with the green tinge to his face. As well the box and letter he was currently holding in his lap.
"I uh…uh…I…I um…I got…this package delivered…addressed to all of us. It um…it said if…if I didn't show everyone…that…" Said Hermes, only for his face to turn greener, before he quickly passed the box and letter to Artemis and summoned a waste basket before he began throwing up in it.
The sight shocking the gods, wondering what exactly the message could be to get such a reaction out of him. With Artemis shakily grabbing the letter on top of the box and unfolding it to see what it said.
"Messenger God, if you do not deliver this package and letter to the entire Olympian Council then we…will…be sending…more pieces of…Apollo back…to you…" Artemis read before she gained a horrified expression as she looked at the box that, if the message was telling the truth, had part of her brother inside it.
The Moon Goddess nervously opened the lid and looked inside, only to immediately throw it onto the ground with the contents spilling out onto the floor. All of them looking in shock, disgust, and horror when they saw what was inside was Apollo's severed genitals.
"…Fuck." Ares muttered, unconsciously crossing his legs at the horrifying sight.
"Read the message. Now." Zeus demanded angrily, hands clenching into fists, his eyes literally blazing with fury at this blatant attack on Olympus. On one of his own sons.
Hermes gently took the letter from his sister, seeing she was too shaken after seeing the... part of her brother. Once he sat back on his throne, with the rest of the Olympians focused on him, he began to read the message:
"Dear Olympians... you have hid yourselves in your mountain for far too long, looking down on everyone else. Hurting them. Using them and then throwing them away like discarded trash. But guess what? We have the Sun God, Apollo, in chains. And to ensure this message was loud and clear we... cut away his favourite toy." Hermes swallowed , since that wasn't the word used but he wasn't going to say it. "He cried and cried when we did. And soon, we will have the rest of you brought to your knees and make you watch as we... burn Olympus to ashes and leave nothing remaining. You have until the Winter Solstice to surrender, and your ends will be swift and quick. Delay, and we will make you suffer as we have suffered. As Apollo is suffering. As all of your victims have suffered. You can surrender yourselves and join Apollo or you can die screaming alongside him. Choose wisely. And to..."
"Read!" Zeus demanded, seeing Hermes continue to hesitate.
"…But to…four of you animals, no matter what choice you make, your suffering will be an eternity before we let you die. To…to the Rapist King, you will experience the same pain your bastard has experienced, along with…all the pain of the women you have ruined to…satisfy your own selfish desires and…cruelty." Said Hermes while glancing at his father fearfully as Zeus was seen visibly shaking in pure rage, it's honestly a miracle he hasn't exploded.
"To…to the…the pe-petty, s-sp-spiteful…Queen Bitch…no longer will…will you pretend to be…the spurned wife…we will expose the…the disgusting rot within your soul…the truly selfish and…self-centered creature you really are. To feel the pain you inflicted…on the victimized woman and…innocent children of your rapist husband. And when your time comes…you will know you were no different than them…and that no one will care when you die." Hermes said, glancing at Hera next.
"WHAT!?" Screamed Hera in anger that anyone would dare insult her in such a way.
"To the…the Shallow Whore…pretending to be a Love Goddess…for…for the lives you have…ruined to satisfy your…your own twisted fantasies…you will feel as they did…to have your…mind twisted and…manipulated, you will…become what you have made so many others…nothing but a doll to be used…and tossed aside once it's broken." Said Hermes, turning to Aphrodite next.
"How dare they?! I've only ever brought people together!" Aphrodite said, scowling that anyone would insult the couples she's created or say she's manipulated anyone.
"And…and to the Traitorous Hunter…we were hoping…to capture you, but your twin does just as well. We will get you eventually…and you will pay for your betrayal…know that this began…because of you…and we will be the ones…to end you…to show you what it is like…to be abandoned." Hermes said, looking at Artemis last, the Moon Goddess merely clenched her thrones armrests tighter.
"Enjoy…enjoy the time you have left Olympians…take one last look at your shining mountain…for soon nothing of it will remain…but our laughter. Signed, the Lion, the Witch and the Bear." Hermes said as he finished reading the letter.
Before the Olympians all jumped when loud explosions of thunder and lightning began going off around them and above their heads as Zeus shot up from his throne.
"I WILL HAVE THE HEADS OF THOSE THAT DARE THREATEN MY POWER! THEY THINK THEY CAN GET AWAY WITH SUCH AN INSULT?! THE ONLY ONES WHO WILL BE SCREAMING WILL BE THEM!" Zeus shouted in pure rage that anyone would deliver such an insult to Olympus, and to him above all else, swearing he'll make them and their allies suffer for this.
Before Zeus could cause any damage in his rage, Poseidon was there, pushing his brother back into his throne.
"BE CALM, BROTHER!" Poseidon shouted with a warning glare at Zeus. "Or I will make you."
"Poseidon, you dare-!" Zeus started, but was stopped when a hand was placed on his shoulder, making him look to see Hades there with the shadows drifting off his form.
"Be. Calm." Hades warned firmly, causing Zeus to scowl and reluctantly calm down. Seeing his younger brother calm, Hades turned to the rest of the Olympians. "Now, would any of you like to tell me what exactly is going on?"
Poseidon simply pointed to the floor, where Apollo's genitals laid, causing Hades to raise an eyebrow. He was hardly as repulsed at the sight as the others, since the Furies had done way worse kinds of torture. And he's did worse sorts of torture as well. This was practically child's play to him. He grabbed the letter from Hermes when the Messenger God held it out for him. His eyes scanned the contents quickly.
"And here I thought I can hold a grudge." Hades commented.
"I'm going to go find him." Artemis said, standing up and preparing to go back to Camp Half-blood, rally her Hunters and start searching for Apollo.
"No." Zeus said, stopping Artemis in her tracks. "You will remain at Camp Half-Blood to watch the Aesir! He's behind this, I know he is!"
"What?!" Artemis' eyes widened. "But father, Apollo is in danger! The Titans have him and-!"
"THE TITANS ARE NOT RETURNING!" Zeus shouted, refusing to believe the ancient enemy of the Gods were rising again. That his father was rising again.
His shout, appearing more like a child refusing to accept something, made Hades roll his eyes. "The Titans are rising, Zeus. You forget, that I rule the Underworld. Which means that I check the borders of Tartarus. Father is attempting to rise again along with the others."
Zeus glared at his brother. "I will hear no more of this! Artemis, you will remain at Camp Half-Blood to watch over the Aesir and find out what they're planning."
"It's not the Aesir or any other Pantheon! Why would they even waste time capturing Apollo rather than just attack us?! The only ones that'd benefit from this are the Tita-" Artemis said, now getting angry that his paranoia and denial could potentially put her brother in even more danger.
"ENOUGH! You will return to Camp Half-Blood and watch that boy! Is that understood?!" Yelled Zeus, giving Artemis a warning look, with the Moon Goddess clenching her fists.
"Father, with all due respect there is no logical explanation as to why the Aesir would care to capture Apollo nor have any knowledge of what he was doing to know where he was. Not even Odin's ravens would know since if they did see Apollo, then they would have seen Jakob Thorsson by now as well. The only logical conclusion is that the Titans and their own allies are responsible, they would be the only ones to possess such a grudge against us to send such a message. Please see what all of us already do, monsters that have been gone for centuries are rising, more demigods are flocking to Luke Castellan. If we do not acknowledge the true threat, then what was written in that letter will come to pass. Do you really wish to risk even the smallest chance that the Titans are returning?" Athena said, using all her logic and reasoning to get through her father' stubbornness and paranoia.
With Zeus gritting his teeth in anger that even Athena believed the Titans were returning, even worse was he really couldn't argue with her, as she'd only make an argument she knew was true.
"Fine! Artemis you will send a team of Hunters to find out where Apollo has been taken and the truth of the matter on who attacked him. But you will return to camp and watch the Aesir to find out if he is plotting against Olympus or if he's allied with the Titans." Zeus said, much to Artemis's relief that she could at least send some Hunters to try and rescue Apollo, or at the very least find out where he's being kept so she could save him herself.
"Yes, father." Replied Artemis before she gave Athena a grateful expression, thankful that she helped her, which the Wisdom Goddess returned with a nod.
Artemis then instantly teleported away, not wanting to waste another second and hoping her Hunters will be able to reach Apollo in time.
And that's it for this chapter, people.
Harem: Silena Beauregard, Thalia Grace, Katie Gardner, Annabeth Chase, Andromeda Jackson (Female Percy), Bianca Di Angelo, Zoe Nightshade, Thrúd, Piper McLean, Hylla, Freya, Aphrodite, Artemis, Athena, Hestia, Skadi.