Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson
LAST TIME:
Artemis herself had a complicated expression on her face as she gazed down at the young girl in her arms and then back at Percy. Her yellowy silver eyes trying to figure out what he was planning as Percy gave her a small smile that turned into a confident grin. Seeing the grin on his face Artemis felt her worries lessen, only by the tiniest amount though.
"I'll see you two up top, though it may take me a while to get out." He said confidently as Artemis continued to stare at him. Percy in turn also stared back in silence as he felt a pinch in my heart at the sight, two women he cared for deeply both of which were extremely worried about him.
'You better hurry… dummy.' Artemis whispered into my mind as a silver aura began to build around her as the air began to sparkle. Percy closed his eyes and in a single moment the room turned a brilliant silver light as Artemis flashed herself and Annabeth out of the throne room. Ever so slowly he opened his eyes as they drifted back to a grinning Hades. He then slowly put on a grin of his own as he faced the god of the underworld.
"So Uncle, I hear you are a man who is willing to trade things for secrets. Not to brag but I have a secret so grand I would say it is worth about 10 of me."
NOW:
LOCATION: The Nest
THIRD PERSON POV:
"Such a beautiful day out isn't it?" Asked a gentle voice that seemed to overflow with happiness. That voice belonged to Cammy who was currently pushing a wheelchair around the main courtyard that lay in front of the mansion. People buzzed about happily as some tended to flowers, while others cleaned up any overgrown vegetation. The work did not stop people from taking glances at their priestess, who was looking completely different than her normal priestess attire.
Her dark brunette hair released from its normal constraints, and she was even wearing a pink sundress with small sunflowers adorning the cloth. All together this caused their priestess to appear much more vibrant and approachable. Some couldn't help but wonder what brought about such a drastic change in her as they compared her to her normal regal and calm features, but then as they wondered that, their eyes found the absolutely stunning woman in the wheelchair. They couldn't help but let their minds run wild a bit at the sight of the two absolute beauties side by side, one in a wheelchair while the other suffered from a vicious facial scar.
Many men and women couldn't help but blush at their thoughts and quickly turn away out of embarrassment. Fanfiction stories of the two coming to life in their minds, two beauties brought together by the tragedies of their pasts. Still the thoughts were squished down as they began reciting sentences about morals, having a calm mind, and such from the many sermons they attended. Still their gazes seemed to go unnoticed by Cammy as a radiant smile adored her lips as she continued to push the women in the wheelchair neither fast nor slow.
"Indeed it is, I don't think I have seen the sun in a bit now that I think about it." The woman said in a grateful voice as her eyes slowly traced over every detail, admiring everything she laid eyes on.
"That is why I got permission from Asclepius to bring you here, a change in environment is good for the soul." Cammy said with a soft smile as she pushed the women closer to the bush of hydrangea that the women had been gazing at for a little bit. The flower petals were currently various shades of blue giving each flower a beautiful and different look.
"It seems you don't have to be a doctor to know what is best for you. Thank you for convincing him, I feel much better than I do all cooped up on that bed." The woman joked a little as a light laugh escaped her lips as Cammy gave a nod.
"I figured as much, I thought you were going to crochet a dozen more scarves if I didn't get you out of there." Cammy said with a grin as the women grinned along with her as the two shared a small laugh.
"Well I figured I should make one for each of my grandchildren and future grandchildren at the very least if I have the time." She said as Cammy felt her lips twitch a little.
"Maybe you do need to make a dozen more then, as I don't think Percy is going to stop anytime soon. Who knows maybe you will have enough grandchildren to have yourself a soccer team or two." Cammy said as Sally seemed to pause for a second and then turned to look up at Cammy. A pair of baby blue eyes that had waves of darkness swirl around them, like a galaxy made up entirely of water while surrounded by space. Seeing the dazzling pair of eyes Cammy couldn't help but feel her heart flutter a tiny bit.
"What's up?" Cammy couldn't help but asked as Sally blinked a few times as she pursed her lips a bit.
"My name… it sounds… like it isn't my own." She suddenly said as Cammy put on a worried face.
"Then what about Chaos?" She asked in a tiny voice so nobody could overhear them. Still Sally shook her head a bit and gave a small sigh.
"No not that isn't it either. I know I possess parts of Sally and Chaos' memories and ego but… I am not them. It just feels weird when I hear their names being used to address me, not bad but kinda like someone saying a nickname." She said with a sigh as Cammy slowly nodded. Ever since Sally/Chaos had woken up confusion was the only thing that had filled her mind for days. Because of this she herself had requested for nobody to say a word to Percy about her waking up.
Even Hestia and Zoe were dragged into her promise as she pleaded with them to not say a single word to him. Both women bending to her whim as she pleaded with them for several hours, all she wanted was time to get her thoughts straight. The fusion of two peoples parital memories and egos was not something that was by any means an easy road to travel. Millions of memories flooded her mind, from times before the milky way even existed, to others only a few years ago in a cozy cabin with Percy and Tracy.
Nearly each night she would wake up screaming and crying each to nightmare-like memories from both lives. Panic filling her mind as horrendous shivers of fright wracked her body, even with the ego and memories of Chaos and Sally her will was still frail at the moment. Thankfully Cammy had been by her side every step of the way, be it awake or asleep, each time she woke up in tears Cammy was there as a shoulder to cry on, someone to talk to, and even someone to hold or cuddle.
"Then what about a new name Miss. Jackson for now?" Cammy suggested as Sally/Chaos blinked a few times as a smile grew on her face.
"You always know what to say to make me feel better Cammy." She said as she reached and grasped Cammy's hand on her own. She then had the hand cup her face as she lightly nuzzled it a bit, finding comfort in the demigoddess' somehow smooth and rough hand. Cammy seemed to freeze a bit as her heart rate went through the roof by this action. Only a red blush erupted on her cheeks as Sally/Chaos continued to rub her cheek in her hand.
"M-Miss. Jackson p-please, people are staring." Cammy stuttered as her blush continued to grow as she looked around to find people glancing at them as small smiles grew on their faces. Her blush only continued to grow and grow as a giggle came from below as she looked down at the happy pair of eyes looking up at her.
"You blush just as easily as I remember Cammy, let them stare if they wish." Sally/Chaos whispered as Cammy blushed even harder the soft cheek continued to gently nestle into her hand. It was already clear to Cammy that the memories from their shared time together still remained in her mind, from the vanilla ones to the utmost spicy ones.
"O-Okay." Cammy herself whispered back as her whole face turned red as Sally/Chaos seemed to freeze a bit as a tiny blush touched her own cheeks. Her own heart raced as closed her eyes and let her thoughts dance around, past memories colliding with one another while emotions stirred in her head like a storm. Sally's past with Cammy was short and intense to say the least, yet something about those memories stuck out to her. Hints of longing and yearning for… more than simple one night stands.
She was Sally and Chaos and Sally and Chaos were her, all of their emotions about things were here and their egos as well. Panic began to fill her a bit as she continued to think, was it alright to act on these feelings? Was it not okay since she was not Sally anymore? Would her Chaos half resent her for doing such a thing? Was it okay to even have a relationship with Anyone either or they knew in the past?
"Hey it's okay, just take a deep breath. I'm here for you, what type of flowers do you see?" Suddenly a voice cut through her thoughts as she noticed her breathing had gotten ragged as her body was shaking a bit. Her eyes darting to the flowers in front of her she listed their names in her head, yet like an anchor Cammy's hand brought her back to reality as it gently held her face as the other pet her head a little. She blinked a few times as the mini panic attack subsided, deep breaths began to leave and enter her lungs as she managed to calm down after a minute.
"Do you feel better?" Cammy asked in a worried voice as Sally/Chaos looked up at a pair of equally worried dark blue eyes.
"Yes, thank you. I can always count on you Cammy." She said with a sincere smile as she turned to the hand that held her face and gave the back of it a tiny peck. As she did she noticed goosebumps flare on Cammy's smooth skin as a tiny smile graced her lips at her reaction.
"Y-You know I've been thinking a little, when I get a bit better would you like to go o-out?"
"L-Like a date?"
"M-Maybe…"
"... I would like that." When Sally/Chaos replied with this, it caused Cammy to grow cherry red thinking about their pasts.
"I just can't promise I am the same person you remember from the past."
"I could say the same as well, it has been a long time after all."
With that both women stared at one another with a faint blush on their cheeks, as they stared at one another they couldn't help but give each other an embarrassed smile as giggles escaped their lips. The people staring couldn't help but cheer them on in their heart as a pink hue seemed to dance around the two. As the giddiness in the air seemed to stick around the two, suddenly a white door in the central plaza appeared and began to shine as everyone's eyes turned to it.
"Damn that old man doesn't know when to stop talking when he is interested in something." A young voice filled the air as a 13 year old child stepped through the door as the light from it dissipated into the air. He just put his hands to his hips and took a deep breath and even began to stretch a little.
"Ah the air here is so much fresher than the underworld." He said with a happy tone as he started to look around at the flowers and bushes. Then his two galaxy shaped irises landed on Cammy and Sally/Chaos as he froze in place. His eyes locked on her blue galaxy like eyes as tears began to gather in each of their eyes. Even though his body was no longer like it was once before she knew instantly who it was.
Before anyone could act the boy sprinted forward at an incredible speed causing a gust of wind to form as he launched himself into her awaiting arms.
LINEBREAK:
"Why didn't you tell me you were awake? Do the others know?" Percy questioned as he wiped tears from his eyes. To cause less of a ruckus they had moved inside the mansion to one of the many comfy meeting rooms. Currently Percy sat next to his mother as she wiped tears of her own away as she tried to collect herself a bit more. Thankfully for them both Cammy provided the two with tissues as they wiped away more tears, they even blew their noses in complete sync causing her to smile a little.
"Yes they do, but don't blame them, okay? I didn't want you to see me in such a terrible state, besides you had your important quest." She said blowing her nose again as Percy looked up at her in a concerned face.
"You are more important than any little old quest mom. I wanted to be there for you, Ananke explained a few things to me and said it was going to be rough for you. I wanted to help in any way I could." He responded back with a heartfelt look as she reached over and planted a kiss on his forehead.
"Your little old quest is one to prevent a war between the gods, I think that is a bit more important than me. Also it was my wish for you not to see me in such a state, after hearing what you did after with Poseidon I feared that you may go and do something similar." She said with a small voice of concern as Percy looked up at her with firm eyes, after a few seconds of staring into her eyes he gave a slight nod of understanding and also seemed to pout at the same time.
"Also where is my beautiful daughter? I haven't seen her once since I've woken up, I thought for sure she would have been by my side when I slept. Or at least visited." She said with a stern face as Percy completely froze as a sweat began to drip down his face. Seeing this she narrowed her eyes a bit as Percy seemed to shake under her gaze.
"Percy…"
"Well… I may have forgotten to inform Tracy… about everything." Percy said with a grimace as Sally/Chaos let out an exasperated sigh that caused Percy to shrink up with every passing second. After a few seconds she looked down at her son who seemed to hunch over into the smallest ball possible.
"Bring her here now." She said in a stern tone as Percy quickly nodded while looking at the floor, with a single thought Orthos appeared from the shadows in his small form as he gave Percy a curious look.
"Orthos go grab Tracy please." Percy seemed to nearly beg as Orthos stared at him for a moment and then gave a slow nod before disappearing back into the shadows. With that only silence filled the room as Percy seemed to already be imagining the smack down Tracy was going to lay on him. He simply couldn't believe he forgot to inform her about what happened to mom and everything else that happened.
"So while we wait, Percy… are you okay? Cammy told me about what happened after I… I mean Sally got herself into such a state." She suddenly asked as Percy paused as his mind seemed to spin at her words. Ever so slowly he looked at her with a hint of confusion in his eyes that slowly turned into clarity.
"I can't say I'm fine, not after what that asshole said about you and us. It still infuriates me about what he did. More importantly mom, are you okay?" He asked as she herself paused but ever so slowly shook her head. She could already tell Percy saw through her worries.
"I guess I am just a bit confused on who I am at the moment, both Sally and Chaos are me and I am them. Each of them experienced so much in their lives that it is hard to take it all in, though I only have about half of their memories I thankfully remember the important parts and people. Still I just don't know what to do with my life now, Chaos and Sally were almost like polar opposites. Chaos was massively important and experienced things that no normal being or even god would experience. Her life was almost bland and she seldom had emotions of any kind, only after you were born did her emotions seem to come out of stagnation."
"Sally was a simple mother in a small world who lived a seemingly normal life, she was so much more full of emotions that Chaos ever was until her last years. Each of them were so different yet as soon as you were born their worlds collided and without knowing it they grew similar. Unfortunately each experienced wrongful and awful deaths, I simply don't know how to feel in this situation. I am happy that I am able to live again, there is so much more I wish to experience with my family by my side." She said as her face filled with complex emotions from happiness to anger.
"Yet I am not them… if that makes sense. I just wish to live my own life, one that is just for me, not as Sally or Chaos but just as myself. That is why I feel lost all the time, I simply don't know where to start. Thankfully Cammy has been helping me out a lot with everything, she has given me some clarity to what I need to do as well." She said, throwing a grateful smile at Cammy as the demigoddess herself gave a smile back. Percy could only watch with curious eyes at their interaction as he had an inkling feeling that smile was a bit more than it looked like.
"So… does that mean you still want to be my mom?" Percy asked with a dry throat as a wave of worry passed through him. Before he could react a pair of arms wrapped themselves around his head and pulled him into a hug.
"Don't y-you ever say that again. Even if I am not Sally or Chaos that doesn't change a thing, I will always be your mother." She said with a frail voice as Percy felt more tears flood his eyes as his worry deep inside him vanished completely. He simply began to cry in her arms and he hugged her back, Cammy simply walked outside the room to give the two a moment as she couldn't help but wipe tears of her own.
LINEBREAK:
"I'm a huge idiot and a terrible brother! I'm sorry!"
"Louder!"
"I'M A HUGE IDIOT AND A TERRIBLE BROTHER! I'M SORRY!"
"Hmm…"
"Tracy my little princess, you are going to break his arm if you continue. He is still injured after all." Tracy could only look down at Percy with a cold stare as she kept him in an armlock, his 13 year old form now much shorter than her own 16 year old one. Still the demigoddess ever so slowly let go of Percy as he gasped and rolled away from her as she stood herself up. Percy could only stare up at his sister as she glared down at him with her angry blue eyes.
As soon as Tracy arrived she more or less broke down into a crying fit after seeing the state her mother was in. After nearly an hour of helping her calm down to the point Percy finally told her everything that she missed. It was a lot easier to explain to her as well since Tracy already knew about what happened to Chaos and the primordials. Only she, Zoe, and Hestia knew about her soul gem he possessed though. After a lengthy explanation and many more tears Tracy was caught up on what happened.
Which immediately led to her tackling him and punching and hitting him while she cried, each strike was flimsy and not meant to hurt him as he allowed her to continue. He knew that he had messed up royally this time, so if there was anything he could do to make her better he would do it. Unfortunately Tracy seems to calm down yet again and this time attacked him with intent to harm thus leading him to be caught in an armlock as he begged for forgiveness.
"Mommy." Tracy didn't say another word to Percy as she quickly turned to her mother as her face melted into one of care and concern. A second later she was wrapping her up in a hug as Tracy buried her head into her comforting bosom. Tracy could only sniffle a bit as her head remained buried while Percy's face continued to show regret.
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner. Everything happened so fast it slipped my mind." Percy said while Tracy acted like she didn't hear him as she remained still as Sally/Chaos stroked Tracy's hair.
"I'm fine now I promise. Just like Percy I will always be your mother till the end, you are my children through and through. I wouldn't have it any other way."
"I know… you two already explained all that. I just wish I could have helped, I can't stand seeing you in this state. If there is anything I can do to help you please let me know. Also I nearly lost you and that big dummy and I had no idea, nobody told me anything. In the future please tell me if something happens." Tracy said looking up at her with puffy red eyes as Sally/Chaos gave a soft smile. She then planted a soft kiss on Tracy's forehead as Tracy's eyes continued to leave more tears.
"In the future we will absolutely make sure to tell you the second something happens, I will also talk to the others and make sure they know as well. There is one thing you can help with, I would like a new name. I was hoping you and Percy could help, it seems right in my mind to let you two help." She said with a smile as Tracy and Percy's eyes widened at the topic.
"A-Are you sure?" Percy couldn't help but ask as she nodded.
"Absolutely, what do you two think?" She asked as Percy and Tracy looked at one another. Though Tracy still had a hint of anger in her eyes as she looked at him she couldn't help but nod as he did the same. Soon she retreated from her mothers hug and sat by her side as Percy stood up and sat next to them.
"If it is what you want to do then I say we do it." Percy said as Tracy nodded as well as she eyed her brother for a second.
"Okay if it is what you want, how about Heather?"
"Hmm… no it doesn't sound right."
"Victoria?"
"Haha no I don't want Tyche to get all jealous of someone more beautiful than her is named Victoria."
"Oh wow just slamming down Tyche with that humble brag."
"No, just stating the truth is all."
"..."
"Tracy, I think mom grew much more confident after the fusion."
"Yeah I think you're right… but is she wrong? Mom is a total goddess level beauty now, not saying she wasn't before. I bet people will probably walk right up to her and propose to her on the spot."
"I mean you're not wrong but I don't think Cammy would allow such a thing to happen."
"I would indeed not let it happen."
"Oh? Why is that?"
"Ummm… how about the name Trista?"
"Hey don't dodge the question Cammy!"
"Oh Tracy leave her be, she is just a bit protective of me like you two are. Also I feel that wouldn't work unless I had red hair… maybe?"
"I know it sounds kinda cliche but what about something that means beautiful?"
"I wouldn't mind a name like that. Where did you get that idea Percy?"
"I had a run in with a person whose name meant beautiful. Plus I just wanted to give you the best name possible."
"Aww how sweet of you, look at my baby boy being so thoughtful."
"Hey, I am always thoughtful. Please don't give me that look Tracy, I know I messed up already."
"As you understand, I am still mad at you though. Also I thought of a few names; Tove, Teagan, Mei, Ella, Bella, or Alina."
"Hmm… They are all good but they don't seem to fit right."
"What about Kaitlyn, Rachel, or Nelly?"
"No… None of those either."
"Hmm…"
'Percy see if she likes Calista.'
'You wanna get in this as well Ananke?'
'She is my mother technically as well, besides this seems fun.'
'Sure I will ask.'
"What about Calista? I think it means most beautiful if my Greek is translated properly."
"Calista… I actually really like that one." She said as her eyes sparkled a little as her mind seemed to wrap itself around the idea of her new name.
"Ananke thought of it actually." Percy said as his mother's eyes seemed to glaze over for a second as partial memories poured into her mind at the sound of the name. After a second she slowly opened her eyes as they showed a hint of sadness for a brief moment until a smile graced her lips.
"Well you can tell her that I love it, from now on I am Calista Jackson." She said as her eyes sparkled a bit with happiness, in turn everyone also smiled with her as a cloud of happiness spread throughout the room.
'I knew she would love it.' Ananke said as Percy said as he couldn't help but think that the primordial of Destiny and necessity played a role in her picking out a perfect name for his mom.
"Though Calista does sound a bit formal, how about Cally as a nickname for now?" She said as everyone nodded in agreement at her decision, that was until Percy noticed something about the nickname. Instantly he thought of Ananke again but ignored that thought as he couldn't help but let a small laugh out as everyone turned to him.
"What is so funny?" Tracy asked as Percy couldn't help but smile as a few stray happy tears left his eyes as he quickly wiped them away.
"Cally is basically a fusion of Chaos and Sally's names, like you said they are you but you are not them." He said Cally's eyes widened a bit but after a brief second of surprise her a happy smile graced her lips.
"It seems my name had a bit more destiny than I first thought, I still love it though. Thank you everyone. I appreciate all the help you provided." She said as she began to also tear up as Tracy couldn't help but do the same as she hugged Cally. Percy also couldn't hold back as he hugged her as well as the family of three shared an embrace for the first time In years. A special warmth filled their souls as warm happy tears filled their eyes.
'While this is adorable and something I wish to join in as well, I hate to bring you bad news but aren't you needed on Olympus Percy? The quest group seems to have made it there and things are beginning to unfold.' Ananke said as Percy seemed to freeze, at the same time worry began to shoot through him as he realized Artemis didn't know he was alright. More than likely Hestia had already spoken with her and also got the news about him, this did not bode well for him or Hades.
"I am sorry but I have to leave, I am needed on Olympus. Give me an hour and I will be back I promise!" Percy said in a slight panic as Tracy and Cally looked at him and nodded after seeing the panic in his face.
"Hurry back, also bring your family as well. I have a few apology gifts for Zoe and Hestia for not allowing them to talk with you about my awakening." Cally said with a regretful sigh as Percy smiled and nodded. With that he escaped the hug and gave his mom and sister a kiss on their cheeks before rushing out the building. Not a moment later Orthos was already wrapping him in shadows as the two bolted for the nearest exit.
LINEBREAK:
THIRD PERSON POV:
"Come on, come on." Percy said while rapidly pushing the button to call the elevator to the bottom floor as he tapped his foot as he watched it slowly begin to descend down. He could only groan and facepalm at the slowness in this single moment.
"Why now of all times! Come on! Be faster!" Percy nearly screamed as he gave the elevator a frustrated glare. Unfortunately for him this was the only way up to Olympus at the moment, Orthos couldn't shadow travel up there and he was still not trained enough to fly with his wings. Besides he was sure that if Zeus saw him flying he would send a few bolts his way.
"You are so impatient." A woman's voice spoke beside him as Percy turned to see a woman dressed in a full office lady attire. In one hand was a stack of coffees and in the other was a briefcase. With her hair up in a neat bun and a professional look to her Percy could already tell she was one of the normal office workers here.
"Sorry the elevator is just taking forever." Percy complained as she laughed at his exasperated face.
"Sometimes you need to simply go with the flow of things. Impatience and complaining will not make it move faster you know." She said as Percy put on a sour face as her words made complete sense.
"I know but sometimes I wish it would." He reported as she rolled her eyes a little at him. With that the two sat in silence as the elevator finally arrived a minute later, thankfully it was just the two of them as they both loaded into it.
"What floor?" Percy questioned, eyeing the full hands of the women as he loaded into the elevator.
"72nd if you would." With that Percy pushed the button and then a random one above hers as he continued to tap his foot impatiently as the elevator began to move.
"Here to visit some family?" Suddenly the silence was broken as the women spoke to him as Percy couldn't help but put an awkward look on his face.
"I guess you could say that, mostly aunts and uncles though." Percy decided to pass the time with some small talk as the women raised an eyebrow.
"Sounds like there are quite a few of them. A big family I presume?"
"Yeah it is a family run business after all, sometimes I admit there are a bit too many of them. Plus they seemingly rarely get along as well, they just stick to their division and don't do much else. Also yeah there is a crap ton of them, each more frustrating than the last." Percy admitted as the women snickered at his comments.
"Sounds like you have quite the exotic family, but it sounds to me you aren't going there to see them." She commented as Percy paused and looked up at the women as she gave him a curious face that had a bit of mischievousness to it. Like an office lady that needed her daily dose of drama… which Percy was more than happy to give to her.
"I'm actually helping out a cousin who kinda got in trouble with one of the older uncles. Basically something important went missing and he and another uncle was blamed for it, took a bit but thankfully it was found and it wasn't either of their faults. Still I'm going to help my cousin out a bit to make sure my uncle properly apologizes, also to figure out who misplaced the item in the first place." He said with a smirk as the women's eyes lit up in excitement.
"Oh my! Sounds like a lot is going on up there, families are always full of drama aren't they? Your story reminds me of a time with my aunt, she left home after a big fight with her son! Once we found her and asked her to come home she refused adamantly, there was nothing we could do until one of her nieces put on a show for her. My aunt always loved singing and dancing, which is exactly what her niece did until she felt better and came back home." She said with an exasperated sigh as Percy listened intently as he found the story interesting.
"That sounds pretty rough." Percy admitted as the women gave a small nod.
"Those days she was gone were dreadful I tell you, it was like the world itself seemed to grow dark with her absence." She added on as Percy gave a nod in understanding, when his mother was gone it felt nearly the same for him. As Percy thought a bit about both of their situations during those times he suddenly paused as his brows furrowed ever so slightly. He didn't know how or why but her story sounded… familiar in a way.
"Hmm? Something on your mind?" She asked him as Percy slowly looked up at the women as he took a closer look at her. Her age appeared to be cresting 35 ish and her features were definitely Eastern but she appeared far to normal in a way. Like you had merged 3000 photos of people from China and Japan and just combined them all into one person. As he noticed this his eyes began to widen a bit as her face which was showing curiosity slowly morphed into a smile.
"It seems you finally figured it out, little demigod." She said as Percy moved instantly as he whipped out the key to Olympus, he tried to activate the key only for the elevator to suddenly stop in place. Still he got the key in the elevator yet nothing happened as panic began to fill him as he stood still with his back to the women.
His mind began to race as he tried to go over every possible outcome of his situation, his injuries were still far too severe to face any god. He began to think about why she was here, if she wanted to kill him she would have already attacked long before he knew her identity as a god. Slowly he turned to see the very same woman sipping lightly on one of the coffees as she gave him a smile as she calmly waited for him to speak.
As he stared at her he used his eyes of creation on her to figure out something about her, yet only a blank screen of info appeared in front of him as he inwardly sighed. Percy could only stare at her for a minute as he tried to figure out who she was, he only knew that she was not from Olympus that much was clear.
"Who are you? What do you want? Why are you here?" Percy asked the woman as she glanced at him and then took another long slip of her drip before putting it back in the holder.
"My name is of no importance to you, but since I am here to build trust I shall tell you. My name is Benzaiten the goddess of flow, I am a Kami from the far east or Japan if you want to get specific. To answer your second and third question I am simply here to say hello and greet you on behalf of Buddhism and Shinto Pantheons." She spoke as blinked in surprise as the women gave a confident smile.
"Then that story… it was of Amaterasu in her cave after her fight with susanoo wasn't it?" Percy couldn't help but ask after he put the stories together as the goddess blinked in surprise.
"You know of our myths?"
"Just a few dozen, my mother thought it was a good idea to broaden my horizons and dabble in more than one religion." Percy admitted remembering his several dozen classes pertaining to multiple religions with Sally.
"How interesting!" She said with sparkling eyes as Percy simply put on a straight face trying to hide as much emotion as possible. Seeing his face Benzaiten cleared her throat as she gave him another smile.
"Regardless, why are you here? Coming here only to say hello while risking getting caught in foreign territory seems a bit much if you ask me." Percy said as the woman continued to smile as suddenly another arm came from behind her back as it raised up a japanese fan. With a flip of her third arms wrist the fan expanded as it covered her face as her smile was covered only leaving her smiling eyes.
"I guess you can say there are two reasons why I am here, firstly I am officially here on behalf of the Shinto and Buddhism pantheons to extend a hand of friendship and hopes for future cooperation. We ourselves have some issues sometimes and need some help, a rogue demigod here and there or a god that is causing trouble. Just like your Olympians, us Kami have our own rules and must tread carefully on this mortal plane. "
"The power you displayed was a sight to behold, a power over the primordial domain of water. One that transcends the very boundaries of pantheons. If anything we would simply be requesting your help like that of a mercenary in a way, a task for a price, nothing more nothing less." She said as Percy stared at her smiling eyes and started to think a little. From what he could tell she wasn't lying and to him it sounded pretty much the same as his Ranger job.
"Then what is the second reason?" Percy asked as her smiling eyes seemed to tilt a little giving them a much more cunning appearance as he swore she was smirking behind the fan.
"I am the goddess of flow, be it water, time, speech, music, and even knowledge each has a flow to it and thus it falls into my domain. For the past few years the flow of time and water has been erratic at times, I have tried to chase down the cause and each time I was pointed towards you Olympians, however every time I was stopped by Amaterasu. Yet when I was given this mission by her I was finally allowed on USA soil and was finally able to locate the cause of these fluctuations."
"The moment I found you I knew your presence was the very thing altering and fluctuating the flow, something about you simply causes everything to flow along with you or through you. It is like nothing I had ever seen before and personally I am intrigued by it, I can only guess that it has to do something to do with your primordial domain of water you possess. Still for a demigod to cause such fluctuation is unheard of, it simply cannot be a domain you have to cause such a fluctuation." She finished up with peering eyes as Percy stared at her in silence as his eyes swirled with thought.
"I will think about future cooperation with your pantheons as a mercenary, give me a few weeks to go over it with a few people I trust and I will have the gods contact you or whoever to relay the message." Percy said, turning away from her and facing the elevator door as her eyes squinted a bit more at him.
"Hmm… very well. This is our first meeting so that is understandable, we can speak more in the future." She said with a nod as Percy stood still as he let out a small sigh.
"Also about the last bit… it would be wise of you to not pry any further into the matter. Time will reveal all secrets. You know it better than I, besides you should probably get going." Percy finished as Benzaiten stared at Percy's back for a minute until she gave a sigh. With that her third arm with the fan receded and disappeared completely leaving her completely normal.
"I hope time flows quickly then." She said in a whisper. Then just like that a gust of wind with the scent of the sea passed through the elevator as it shook and started to go up again. Percy then turned to see her completely gone as he let out a long sigh and rubbed his face a little. After a few seconds Percy looked towards the key for Olympus and gave it a turn sending the elevator up much faster.
LINEBREAK:
HESTIA POV:
"I swear on the hearth if Hades harms a hair on his head I will skin Spot right in front of him." I murmured to myself in a frustrated and worried tone as I walked away from the throne room. Artemis had arrived with the questing trio in the nick of time… I swear Percy's sense of humor is getting to me with every passing day.
Regardless, Zeus' sparkly stick and Hades fancy hat had both been returned to their rightful owners. After it was revealed Ares helped in efforts to create more conflict he was more or less placed under probation by the the big three. It was agreed on by the entire council that he would be monitored until the current situation with the titans was resolved. After everything was settled Zeus and Poseidon calmed their heads and now were at peace with each other, well as much as they are normally at peace.
"Hestia, please wait." A voice called out to me as I glanced behind me to see Artemis quickly approaching as I continued to walk forward. I stared down at the goddess as her normally beautiful face was covered with emotions of worry, regret, and nervousness. Her silvery eyes looked up at mine and then glanced away a second later as her emotions grew a bit more.
"Hestia… I'm sorry. I should have done more to stop him." Artemis said as I took a few more steps and then stopped as I remained quiet as the air grew tense. My own mind seemed to be filled with turmoil as I let out a softened sigh as I tried to dispel my anger.
"Don't be sorry, nothing can stop that silly boy when he sets his mind on things." I admitted as I thought of Percy, his confident smirk he always had on his face in tense situations or his charming smiling. Just thinking of him seemed to calm me down a bit but then I remembered where he currently was. Knowing Hades I could already guess what he had in mind and that didn't sit well with me.
"Still…" Artemis managed to get out in a worried tone as I turned to the goddess as she looked up at me.
"This is a conversation that needs privacy, come with me." I simply stated as Artemis nodded as she quickly followed me as I made my way to my temple before entering in with her in tow. With a soft click of the door we entered my home as Artemis looked around.
"Is this place exactly the same as Percy's apartment that you all live in?" She couldn't help but ask as I nodded overlooking the room as I felt a bit calmer looking at the scene.
"It is indeed, my home away from home if you will." I said as Artemis and I took a seat in the living room as I turned towards her as my cinder eyes glowed a bit.
"So tell me more about what happened, you only briefly mentioned Percy stayed in the underworld in Annabeth's place. I need all the details you can spare, the more I know the better I can deal with this situation." I said as Artemis nodded and quickly began to tell me the entire story with extreme details. From the instant they stepped foot into the underworld to the instant she was allowed to teleport out. I sat quietly through the entire thing as Artemis finished telling her story.
"If you need any help with anything please let me know, I am technically his babysitter as well. I will do whatever I can to get him home safely, I promise on my name." Artemis said as I raised an eyebrow at the goddess as she blinked at me a few times before a slightly golden blush covered her cheeks.
"B-Because of my promise with you." She managed to get out with a slight cough as she made an adorable face that simply made me want to pet her. Still I withheld the urge to as I took a mental picture of the goddess as I hid it with the emotions that had grown within me. Just like with Zoe and Percy my emotions for the goddess only continued to grow and grow, still I had to hold them all inside until everything was revealed to her. I could only let out a faint sigh of regret as Artemis gave me a curious look as I put on a small smile.
"I appreciate you remembering, though I had a feeling Percy would end up breaking the rules we set one way or another. This time I think we don't have as much to worry about as you think we do." I said as Artemis' face went from curiousness to confusion in an instant.
"What do you mean? Percy is in danger!" Artemis said in a worried tone as my eyes seemed to sparkle a bit at her reaction. She may have not realized it yet but she was starting to express a lot more emotions towards Percy lately.
'She is simply too adorable Hestia, pet her for me.' Vesta said with a loving sigh that almost sounded like it came from Aphrodite herself.
'L-Later.' I managed back as I pushed back a blush that threatened to reach my cheeks, my other half was simply too bold!
'You are so shy Hestia! It always surprises me how embarrassed you get about these things! If it wasn't for me cheering you on and pushing you forward I bet you still wouldn't have gotten your first kiss with Percy or Zoe at this point. Miss I only wanna hold hands after 8 months of pursuing him.' She said with a confident snort as I inwardly blushed much harder.
'S-Shut up! I know that already! Anyways let me focus!'
"If what you said is true that boy will be out of the underworld in less than 24 hours. You can say I have learned a lot about him in these last two years, I know it doesn't actually seem like it but he has a plan in mind. You must have picked up on it as well." I said as Artemis paused and gave a small nod.
"He seemed to have something planned out at the time. Still he shouldn't have stayed there, uncle was in no mood for games." She said in a frustrated tone as I couldn't help but nod.
"I completely agree with you there. Regardless he is going to be grounded when he gets back. Zoe doesn't even know yet either, once she finds out he broke our rules she is going to have a fit. We will just have to wait for him to return until then." I said in an equally frustrated tone as Artemis stared at me in silence as I rubbed my head a little. I then noticed the goddess had a very interesting expression on her face as if she realized she made a mistake as I grew curious.
"Something on your mind?" I asked as Artemis looked up at me as her hands played with one another as her nervousness grew.
"Well… Percy may have broken more of your rules." She felt my face twitch a little, forget Zoe, I was about to have a fit myself.
"What did he do?" I asked in an exasperated tone as Artemis put on a nervous smile and began to relay to me all his misdoings. From using his powers to transform into Alpha and enslaving the legendary monster Medusa herself, to him blowing up the Lotus Hotel and Casino, and even the fact he managed to reverse in age until he was 13. After everything was said Artemis sat quietly in front of me as I sat there stewing in my emotions.
"H-Hestia?" Artemis asked me as I blinked a few times to find I had been sitting in silence for a couple minutes. My emotions were a mess after hearing what he did, he put himself in so much danger that it made my heart ache. He was still healing! He needed rest! UUUUGGGGHHHH! He never thinks sometimes!
"Scoot." I simply said as Artemis grew confused as she did as she was told and moved a bit over on the couch as I walked over and sat beside her. Before the goddess knew what was happening I flopped to the side and landed my head right on her thighs as I felt her freeze. My head rested on the every so comfy thighs of Artemis as I let out yet another frustrated sigh.
"W-What are you doing Hestia?" Artemis managed to get out as I turned up to see the slightly blushing face of the stunning goddess. I only turned away to hide my own rising blush as I realized what I had just done in my frustrations. Artemis didn't know about her possible position in the harem yet, I shouldn't be doing this! Yet I needed something to comfort me and my heart as I learned everything about the reckless actions of the man I loved.
"Sorry… may I just lay here for a bit? I promise it will only be for a minute." I said as embarrassment filled my tone of voice, I could only feel my heart clench even more until a soft hand suddenly rested on my head as I blinked in surprise. The hand slowly petted my head as I felt my tense heart slowly release as the seconds passed.
"Are you really that worried?" Artemis suddenly asked as I nodded as I remained in place.
"Of course I am, if the man you loved was risking his well being after being asked to ease off a little wouldn't you?" I asked with a huff as Artemis stayed silent for a bit as her hand continued to slowly pet me and put me at ease. Her constant petting easing my embarrassment about this situation little by little.
"I would probably be about just as frustrated as Zoe is going to be when she finds out what Percy did." She said with a light chuckle as I couldn't help but laugh a bit myself.
"She might need a lap pillow as well to help her calm down." I said as I continued to relax as Artemis' rich scent of lush forest and berries filled my nose. Even her scent was somehow calming me down as I began to finally reach a normal state, yet I didn't want to get up just yet.
"You're probably right, that girl is just as feisty as me when she is angry. Percy will be lucky if she doesn't punch him when she finds out, sometimes I honestly feel bad for him as much as she probably punches or pinches him." Artemis said in a seemingly wandering tone I felt the goddess drift off into her own thoughts.
"It is just one of her love languages towards him. I admit I had to get used to it as well at first, now I just find it normal, I have never actually seen her hurt him when she does it. He just acts like a big baby when she does, yet a grin always spreads on his face when she does anything of the sort and a blush will race across her face when she does." I said as Artemis petting paused for a second until it resumed a little later.
"I-I know this is embarrassing to ask, but what is your love language with them?" Artemis managed to ask with a bit of a stutter as I smiled a little. It seems the little doe was getting more curious by the second.
"Hmm… that is tough to answer, I have multiple ones. If I were to single out any of them I would have to say it is hugging or holding hands. It is sometimes hard for me to be verbal about how I feel all of it is simply so new to me and I get flustered very easily. Zoe and Percy figured me out pretty quickly, whenever I hug them they hug me back and give me a kiss on my forehead or lips. If I end up holding their hand they will squeeze it 3 times." I said as I thought back to the early times of our relationship as I could help but smile.
"..."
"Oh sorry I didn't mean to get so deep about it." I said quickly as I noticed Artemis grow entirely silent, quickly I raised my head off her lap as Artemis let me sit up properly as I faced her. I blinked in surprise to find her face full of deep thought and contemplation as her silver eyes swirled around mysteriously. Noticing me staring at her finally she blinked a few times as she gave me an apologetic smile.
"I-It's fine, I was the one who asked you about it in the first place. Anyways if Percy doesn't show up in 24 hours let me know I will help however I can, I think I should get going." Artemis said as she stood up and seemed to dust herself off a bit as I stared at her. The goddess appeared… disheveled or a bit stunned from the info, it wasn't hard to see something was going in on her mind. Were her feelings finally developing or being uncovered? I simply wasn't sure.
"That's fine, I will let you know as soon as I know. Also be prepared to come over to dinner tonight as a celebration for a successful quest." I said with a smile as Artemis nodded in agreement with what appeared to be a hurriedly put together smile before she started to walk towards the entrance of my temple. She then stopped right at the door as her hands clenched and released a few times.
"What does the 3 squeezes mean?" She asked suddenly while facing the door as I then noticed a golden tint slowly appear on her ears. She then turned to me as I saw as a golden blush tint had completely covered her embarrassed face, she then looked straight into mine as I started to become flustered. I could feel my heart skip a beat at the sight as my own blush arose on my face.
'If there was ever a time to hug or pet her, it'd be now'. Vesta said with a voice full of adoration as I pushed her aside in my head. A loving smile then grew on my face as I prepared to answer her suddenly asked question as I stared at the confused goddess as her eyes almost appeared pitiful in a way.
""I love you.""
Suddenly a new voice joined my own as the words left my mouth causing both Artemis and I to jump a little bit. My heart only began to race faster at the sound of the voice as my worries and frustrations buried in my heart began to melt away. We both then turned to the sudden guest to the very cause of frustrations in all his 13 year old glory, drying his wet hair with a towel as Percy walked our way.
Artemis seemed to both grow relieved and a bit tense as Percy approached us, he continued to dry his hair a little before he stopped right beside me. Reaching out his hand to me I instantly took it in one of my own as I felt the goddesses eyes watch we both squeezed our hands 3 times each.
"Each squeeze is a word and those words are, I love you."
A/N: Oh hope you all enjoyed the family drama this time around, Cally our new designated super mom is the best. I hope you all enjoyed the name I picked out for her, well her wonderful children picked out for her. Also looks like those wonderful kids might have a stepmom here soon lol. Regardless, a surprise visit from another patheon is a bit more of a hint for what is to come and let's all be honest. Hestia is the Bestia and is adorable with all her shyness that I hope I portrayed properly for y'all. Also poor Artemis, so many feelings so fast.
E/N: Damn I really have been slacking, need to work on the new chapter, and then pick up the slack on the old ones. Still got basically ALL of Fatal Flaw to edit too.. Jeez, I need to speed up! Anyway, I hope you guys all enjoyed the new chapter! - Sol