A/N Hello readers, I have been swamped for the past year and a half. So I will just post the chapter without much comments. Thank you for supporting me, even though I was not a punctual writer. Hope you will enjoy the chapter. Bye!

Chapter 19: The Break Part 1

Recap

"I was both."

"What?" I demanded. "What are you thinking?"

"I'm thinking," he said, "that I want you on my team for capture the flag."

"And the end of the chapter. Shall we have the much-awaited break now? "Everyone nodded...

Throne room

Hestia's Pov

Slowly, everyone left the hall in groups. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Posiedon reach for Percy. But the future demigods dragged her away. He huffed and left the hall with Triton and Hermes. Amphitrite left with Sally and Penny while the older ones went off on their own. The other gods flashed off to their temple. I smiled at them and left with Demeter for the gardens.

Demeter's Garden

Here we conjured up a feast for everyone. " Now the only thing left to do is to call them and hope Fates don't show up this time," Demeter said. I smiled " At least you have to give our niece some credit. Although unknowingly, this is the first time we are eating dinner as a family in so many years without threatening anyone to stay. " She laughed at that "So true!"

"Who is threatening ?" Poseidon asked coming closer with his son, Hermes and Aphrodite in tow. " And it smells amazing, aderfés !" "Good, now be a good aderfáki and call your daughter and her friends to dinner." He just rolled his eyes at Demeter's words but left with a smile. Oh, brother, you would love for any excuse to spend time with your daughter.

Triton laughed at his father's eagerness then turned towards us and bowed, " I should go call my mother." He said and left.

"I should go call Hephaestus, he must be hungry…" sister cuts her off with a glare and says" Oh! Don't act as if we don't know what is going on. It is no secret that you made a bet with the Charities that you can charm him better than Aglaia. " I can't believe Aphrodite can stoop so low. This is so disappointing. I sighed while the goddess of love huffed and leaves.

Hermes looks like he would rather be anywhere else than here when Chiron, Athena and Odysseus enter the garden. "Good, now that you are here Hermes, you can go call Apollo and Artemis, Oddyseus, you should invite your fellow heroes for the feast. Chiron, you can make sure that Poseidon calls all the younger heroes and not just his daughter." Athena opens her mouth, most probably to say that she would also like to go with Chiron to meet her son but I cut her off and say" Athena, why don't you go invite your father." "But-" " It would be very appalling if we don't invite him officially to such a grand feast. " She huffs but flashes away. Others leave for their tasks. " Wow! That was a close call. I don't think Athena should talk to Andrew or other young demigods personally. They don't look very happy with her. " " I hope that with time Andrew can mend his relationship with his mother. Athena is a tough goddess but she seems to have certain fondness for her son. She would be very hurt if something happened between them. " She nods and says " Why don't you go call Pan and Dionysus and keep an eye on Aphrodite while I go call my Kore" I smile and nod at her and left for my destination.

Pan's gardens

Grover's Pov

As soon as the reading ended, we dragged Percy out of the hall before one or the other god could stop us. " Here, this looks safe enough!" Thalia remarked once we reached one of the gardens of Pan. They looked more like a forest with wildflowers and long trees enclosing the glade with a small pond in the middle. "This is so beautiful!" I cried. Oh, what should I give to have this in our time?

"Goat-boy focus!" Thalia scolded and started glaring at Percy along with everyone.

"Before anyone speaks, I want to know what did you do? How did Leo and Jason survive when the prophecy clearly stated one of them would fall !" Piper Asked." Prophecies can be misleading, Piper. You can't put too much faith in them as they can have several meanings. As for how they survived, well! I may have helped both of them." She told us about her plan to save both of them.

Once she had finished, We all were glaring at her again. How can she even think about sacrificing herself? Not that Leo's idea was any better! She shifted on her foot nervously and asked "What are you glaring at me for?" "Oh! I don't think you would like the reasons, seaweed brain!" Andrew said. "Ok fine! I did play right in mother dirt face's hands but look on the bright side no one died this time. "

"THIS IS YOUR EXCUSE! YOU ALMOST DIED SO THAT NO ONE ELSE HAS TO DIE. DID YOU EVEN STOP TO THINK FOR A MOMENT WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF SOMETHING WENT WRONG? NOOO-" Andrew continued. The seven shifted awkwardly, never really seen Andrew so worked up especially not on Percy.

"Come on Grover let's find some food," Thalia said. I winced but shook my head. Even though I don't want to listen to Andrew's rant, someone does have to act as a mediator. She left with Reyna, Nico and Will in search of food.

" Where are Stolls?" Katie asked looking around. " Dunno! You better go check on them. We don't want them to annoy these folks." She sighed and left with Chis and Clarisse in tow.

I turned back to the scene to notice that the rest of the seven had also left while Percy was trying to calm down Andrew whose face was red with temper. I pinched my nose and went to help her.

Amphitheatre

Perseus's pov

Andromeda, Theseus, Bellerophon, Heracles and I were sitting in the amphitheatre discussing the daughter of Lord Posiedon.

"Can you believe my half-sister is so powerful?" Theseus boasted. " As if! My half-sister is much more powerful." Heracles sneers. Before a fight begins Andromeda intervenes " I think the more important question is why we are reading about the daughter of the sea god? " "Excellent question grandmother! " Heracles exclaimed," The girl is a no good brat –"

" Heracles!" I reprimanded, "What Andromeda means is what happened in future with the demigoddess that it became important for us to know and learn from!" "My opinion is that we should not worry about it and focus on the fact that in future not only Spartans women will be allowed equal status and authority. Look at the demigoddessES of their time. Hades! Even Lady Sally has so much more roles to play be just a mother or wife. "Bellerophon commented. Andromeda was nodding her head in earnest. I hid a smile only to see Oddysus enter the empty Arena.

" Here you are! I was looking for you guys everywhere. Lady Hestia and Lady Demeter have organized a feast for everyone and asked me to invite you. Come on, we should reach there before someone blasts us for our tardiness." With that, he turned around and exited the area. We followed him out to our destination.

On the pathway to the Gardens

Pan's pov

Dionysus and I were walking to Lady Demeter's garden next to his wife as we filled her in on the happenings in the throne room. " – And can you believe my father took away my power over wine!" He ended his rant. " Dear! If you had not gone for those nymphs, this wouldn't have happened!" Ariadne huffed angrily. He shifted in his seat and looked at me for help. I shook my head at him in amusement. " But dear-" " Don't dear me! It's a good thing I am not Lady Hera or you would not be forgiven so easily!"

"Also why are you taking your anger out on innocent people? The satyr and the demigoddess were not the ones to banish you there." I added. " Now, don't you start on me! That brat is a spawn of Sea god. They are always up to no good. " " Dionysus! You are being judgemental. At least give them a chance. And that also does not justify your behaviour toward Grover." " Why are you intent on making me look bad here !" He whined.

"That is because you are looking bad in that situation. " Lord Hephaestus commented coming up to us while working on the glass ball. Dionysus grumbled about bad friends and made a face while we laughed at his expression.

We reached the gates of the garden where Lord Ares was standing on one side talking to his sons when, suddenly, Lady Aphrodite materialized next to Hephaestus. "Husband dearest!" She said sweetly while we raised our eyebrows at her antics, " I was looking for you all over the place and here you are! " She fluttered her eyelashes, trying to charm him. We snorted. Oh, poor Aphrodite. Do you think we haven't heard of your bet with Charities? Not in eternity would Hephaestus even bat an eye on you.

Why what happened Aphrodite? "D asked sarcastically. She glared at him for interrupting her and then turned back to the god of blacksmith and replied" You know it has been years since we spent some quality time together. What would you say to a trip to one of my patron cities?" She said suggestively. "Aphrodite stop being so annoying! I know about you stupid bet. The Charity sisters have already received their punishment of not being able to speak for a century. So you better forget the notion of enchanting me or the result would be catastrophic for you." Hephaestus warned her.

She huffed and ran away to lord Ares who was looking as if wishing to intervene as Lady Hestia came to us. " Although I was always firmly against violence, that did serve its purpose. Now we were going to throw a feast for the new demigods so you are all invited to it. And I hope you all will be on your best behaviour, especially you, Dionysus."

We nodded and flashed with her.

Somewhere on Olympus

Nico's Pov

Thalia, Will, Reyna and I reached the pathway that lead out of the garden area and towards the open markets when we saw Lord Zeus and Lady Hera coming towards us arguing. Shit! Before they could notice us Thalia and I pulled Reyna and Will behind a large tree. " What are you-" Reyna began but was cut off by " Shhhh" Thalia replied" Trust me, you don't wanna get involved in this. "

"How dare you cheat on me even in future. Do you have no Shame!" "It is in the future. How do you expect me to know what will happen then? And you want me to take the blame for it? " He thundered. They were right in front of the tree.

" Let's try the other way" Will whispered trying to sneak from behind when Lady Persephone's voice came from that way, " My lord! I did not expect you to be unfaithful !" "Oh, I did! This was why I always warned you against such men! " Lady Demeter snarled at father. I groaned mentally. Please kill me now! We held our breath as Father joined Thalia's Father on the walkway while all the three goddesses were glaring at them. I wish Percy or Lord Posiedon would come. Although I had no love for the Sea god, Dad had once told me how he used to take care of his nieces and nephews from their step-monsters. Looking at Thalia, I realized she was also thinking the same thing.

Before they can detect us, Will pulled my sleeve and pointed towards the shadow cast by the trees. Yes! Why didn't I think so? I focused on them as I pulled all three towards them inch by inch. We were engulfed in the shadows and the first thing that came to my mind was out of the Gardens, which was where we deposited.

The bad news was that we came out right at the feet of Lady Athena, who narrowed her eyes at us. I tried to catch my breath while Thalia stood brushing her skirt and glaring back at the war goddess. I was not much affected by her as her Athena Parthenos protected us as much as we protected it, but Thalia had a difficult time overcoming Andrew and Percy to fall into the pit which was partly due to Arachne, Athena's mortal enemy. This is going to be very awkward.

Will cleared his throat and bowed," Lady Athena!" We all did the same, Thalia's bow was a bit reluctant. " Hello, Heroes! What are you doing here? " then there was a bit of change in her voice and she looked around," Are all the other future demigods here too?" "Sorry to disappoint Lady Athena, but we don't know about others. We four left others in search of the open market to buy some food." "Oh! You don't have to do that. Aunt Hestia has prepared a feast to welcome you all. Come with me. "With that, she left in the direction from which we came. We looked at each other, then shrugged and followed her.

She reached the place where the elder gods and my stepmother were still standing going on about us. Something cannot change. They talked while we stood at a distance trying to look inconspicuous, as if we were not listening to their arguments minutes ago. " Heroes! Let's go. Lady Hestia would be waiting for us. " Lady Athena said and left with my father and Uncle Zeus. Lady Hera glared at us and walked after her husband with Lady Demeter and Lady Persephone. "That was close!" Reyna snorted and we walked after them.