Fredrick's POV:

After seeing their translations, I saw the demigods staring at the chains as I walked back to the temple. "Hey," I interrupted them softly as they were having a hushed conversation between them. "I just wanted to let you know we're about to close up shop for the night. Do you two need anything?"

"We'll be fine here, Dr. Chase," Gwendolyn answered. "We brought everything we needed besides food, so some sandwiches or food will be appreciated in the morning."

"Ok," I said, making a mental note to bring them some bread and sandwich materials in the morning. I even wrote it down in my phone as a reminder so I hopefully wouldn't forget. 

Time Skip: Ugggghhhhh, don't let 14 make you any mixed drinks. She is a bit heavy on the bottle.
Me: Says you. You asked for a Long Island, which is practically 90% hard liquor.

 "Are you certain leaving them at the site was a wise move, Dr. Chase? They are teenagers, and I know my teens are causing a ruckus for their mother at home. I mean, they could be..."

"No. No. No." I interrupted quickly. "They aren't those kinds of Teens. Plus, I think during part of the ride, Gwendolyn said she had a bet that Malcolm does not swing that way."

"They are still teenagers," A British colleague intruded. 

"Perhaps they are. But she can get your  British mouth to shut up," retorted my old professor.

"The elderly know how to cook, unlike your British self," added our French colleague.

"controlled the spice trade for centuries, and yet you all never learned how to use any of them," added an Italian colleague, shaking his head.

I shook my head as they began arguing over who had the best food in Europe; even the German contingent of professors joined in.

"You see, this is why I am happy we are American, Fredrick. We take the best from all these fools and make it our own," My old professor whispered, probably not wanting to drag us into this.

"Yeah, except we got chocolate chip cookies," I reminded my old professor.

"True, but that's too much sugar...at least that's what my wife tells me. Oh, and don't forget to grab some food for those kids at the site. I didn't see them eat at all, and you all got here too quickly to have stopped along the way."

"Thanks for reminding me, professor," I said, grabbing an assortment of food stuffs for them, even grabbing a couple of burritos.

Time Skip: Smell like I sound, I'm lost in a crowd, And I'm hungry like the wolf.
Bonus: HEY THAT'S MY THING TIME SKIP!!!!
Time Skip: Sorry, lil dude, I couldn't help myself this time.
Bonus: *pouting* ok, I forgive you this time

I was part of the first group of historians and archeologists to arrive at the site today, surprisingly, even though I was carrying more food and supplies than usual. While I trusted the kids to stay one night up here themselves, some of the things the other professors said about it made me reconsider it, so I was planning to spend the night up here this time. 

"So, are we going to break the chains or not?" I h-eard one of the archeologists ask. "We already decided against making a hole in the roof."

"Let me speak with the translators that were sent by my daughter and give them first. They're a fresh pair of brains, and we've been trying to break that chain for weeks now," I replied, to which they shrugged and headed off to the numerous tents to review the photos taken and continue their writings. I also heard that the translations were leaked already to the press, and if you ask me, it was one of those damned archeologist.

"Yay, food," Gwendolyn cheered as she saw me arrive with a pack, dropping it off. 

"Please just try not to contaminate the site with crumbs. The archeologists are a crazy bunch."

"No problem, Dr. Chase," Gwendolyn spoke as Malcolm stared off into the woods. 

Gwendolyn began preparing a sandwich for herself and gave the couple of burritos to Malcolm. "I am not a huge fan of burritos. You can have them, Malcolm," Gwendolyn offered Malcolm, who took them with a gracious nod but still stared off into the woods. 

"What's up with him today?" I asked.

"Just the feeling of being watched," Gwendolyn answered as if it weren't a problem.

"Any idea who might be watching?"

"Nope," Gwendolyn said in a cheery voice.

I watched as she finished her sandwich and began eating. "So he's just gonna stand guard today?"

"You know who his mother is," Gwendolyn answered.

I figured out that the war god side of Athena was probably taking control over Malcolm at the moment, but I also concluded it was probably best not to distract him. "So, did you two have any thoughts on the chain sealing the door?"

Gwendolyn snorted while Malcolm let out a light chuckle. "Yeah. However, it makes sense why you all have failed at breaking it thus far," Gwendolyn said after getting control of herself. 

"So what is it then?"

"It's imperial gold," Gwendolyn answered. "You all wouldn't be able to cut through it for centuries since you're unwilling to get the torches out."

"Will either of you be able to open it?" I asked.

"We could, but that's not what we are here for," Malcolm spoke, breaking his morning silence. 

"Sooooo..." I asked.

Gwendolyn rolled her eyes as she finished cleaning up the food rations she had brought out of the bag I brought. "It's not simple, Dr. Chase. We were ordered not to take part in anything other than translating. However, if you were to just so happen to find one of our weapons unattended and use that to cut the chains...well, there would be nothing we could do to prevent that."

Gwendolyn stood up and wrapped an arm around one of Malcolm's. "Come on, Pace, let's go see if we can find whatever you've been staring at."

As they left, I sighed. Where in the heck could I find a demigod weapon left unattended? I mean, Annabeth left a whole bunch back in her room, but that all melted down and made into bullets, which I fired out of the Sopwith. I went to the bag of food to grab it and put it in the mess hall tent. However, the bag was heavier than when I brought it to the sight, which shouldn't be possible because I didn't see Gwendolyn add anything to it that she didn't take out. 

I opened the bag to see if I was just psyching myself out after months of being away from my family. To my surprise, however, there was a golden dagger at the top of the bag, and it looked like it was sharp enough to cut atoms. I picked it up by the handle and placed the blade against my palm. To my surprise, the golden blade didn't pass through, but I could feel the weight of the blade in my hands. However, something felt different than any other metal, not just that it was gold, no. Still, it felt like it had pent-up power as if it was waiting for enemies to kill, and somehow, I knew that this blade was just as effective against monsters as it would be against me, if not more so. 

I quickly placed the bag of food inside the mess hall tent and went to where my colleagues had gathered to work on their papers. 

"Dr. Chase put the knife down," said one of the Brits.

"No," I responded. "The kids said this might work to cut the chains."

"Yeah, right," most of my colleagues said. "A knife breaking those chains. We lost 12 grinders to it, 15 saw blades, and even multiple files without putting a dent in a singular link."

"Well, I am willing to place money on the table. This will work," I said. I know, I know, it's unethical, but I am gonna split the money with the demigods if any of my colleagues are actually stupid enough to put money on the table.

"Alright," My French colleague spoke up. "If that blade even makes a scratch on those chains, we will give you 100 euros each. If, as impossible as it seems, that knife breaks the chains, we will each give you a grand."

"If it does nothing, I'll give each of you 100 Euros then." I figured that would be fair as if it is a scratch, they have a hundred on the line.

"If the blade breaks, 100 euros and two rounds at the bar," the German said. 

"Deal," I replied and began leading the group of historians and archeologists out to the temple door. 

"Are we sure it is wise to open the temple?" One of the archeologists asked. "There has to be a reason that the ancients sealed the temple this way."

"Perhaps we will learn why once we get inside," another countered. 

As we all arrived at the chained door, I realized that if the demigods were wrong, I'd probably be out a couple of grand, and my wife would kill me...perhaps I can seek marital asylum somewhere in Europe. Undoubtedly, one nation would understand my plight, right? 

"Come on, Dr. Chase," One of the British historians said, "less your..."

"Oh, shut your British mouth, just do it, Fredrick," My old professor said. However, there was something I just now saw in his eyes: recognition. Though, I had no clue of what. 

I pulled the knife up and felt my heart beating. This is the first time I'm actually using a knife outside of eating purposes, and it honestly scares me. The demigods deal with this on a daily basis, and they are usually just children. I shook my head to clear myself of those thoughts. Perhaps they do need a protector and the return of their king. 

I brought down the knife on the chains, and the sound of metal cutting through metal brought pain to the ears. I closed my eyes because the sound was painful, as I am sure most of my colleagues did the same.  

When I opened my eyes again, I was stunned to no longer see the chain; instead, I only immediately saw the door. Looking left and right of the door, I found the chain hanging limply from its entry points into the temple, where it likely wrapped around the backside of the door. 

"Holy shit," my French colleague said, as many of our colleagues started glaring at him. 

"It actually cut through the chains,"

"This ain't a knife...That's a knife," said the one Australian who was with us. 

"Looks like you fools owe my old student a yellow band," my old professor said, handing me 1,000 USD...who carries that kind of money on them to work on the daily?

"Fine...fine," they mostly mumbled, looking like they were going to seek asylum elsewhere when their spouses found out they just lost a grand on a stupid bet. "Now, let's see what's inside."

I rolled my eyes at their roughly childish antics and opened the door as the demigods arrived. "we'll take the chains," Gwendolyn said. "I don't need any of you old geezers breaking your back."

"Old Geezers," came many offended voices.

"The youngest of you is almost old enough to be my father. So yes, old geezers. Plus, you all don't know how much that chain weighs." 

"Can't be more than 30 pounds," one of the younger and more muscular doctorate students said.

"Try it then," Malcolm said with a joyful smile on his face. 

My poor colleague...about to be out a grand and have his pride murdered by two teenagers.

The doctorate student tried and failed to even lift one end of the chain. "Now, if you are done trying to be macho men, allow us to handle this. This metal belongs to the legion anyways," Gwendolyn said.

"The legion?"

"The descendants from the last Roman Legion that went into hiding. However, this legion, in particular, went into hiding before the Empire fell with the rise of Constantius the Second to the throne of Emperor. They are the only ones alive capable of actually working this metal, hence my blade that Dr. Chase holds, which I would like back, by the way."

"wait...You mean to tell us."

"Yes, I am a descendant of a Roman Legionary from the time of the Roman Empire; as a matter of fact, I know my family tree goes as far back as serving under Julius Caesar."

"You gotta."

"No," Gwendolyn said as Malcolm hefted the chain by himself and started taking it up out of the temple pit. "There's a reason we hid ourselves away. Albeit arguably some deserved to pay for their crimes, it is no reason to eliminate entire bloodlines as revenge."

I understood what Gwendolyn said. The legion still follows the old beliefs, and Constantius the Second goes way further than his father, Constantine, in terms of actions against paganism, for Constantine didn't really make any laws against paganism.

Thankfully, my colleagues seemed to be coming to the same conclusion. "So, do you have any idea," one of my more brave colleagues began to ask.

"No," Gwendolyn said. "This portion of history is even a loss to us, though, if what that says is true. I understand why we would have left this behind," She added, indicating to the Ancient Greek at the top of the temple.

"well, that sucks; it would be nice to know what to expect," One of my colleagues said, making way to enter the temple.

"I wouldn't," I said. 

"What do you mean, Dr. Chase," the colleague asked.

"I would at least take the warning on the top of the temple into consideration before entering...maybe repent or confess too. As one of you said earlier, there had to be a reason they locked up this temple like they did while leaving the others relatively easy to access."

"I can't think of any children I have slighted," the colleague said. "I mean, I did say some mean words as a child that I regret now, but that's all in the past now, and I don't think I can take back what I said to them," they added, then entered the temple.

Thankfully, nothing happened, though out of an abundance of caution and probably respect for Gwendolyn,  many made some confessions, mostly about not being around as much as they should for their children or giving out harsh grades to students who probably would have done better if they weren't held to such high standards. 

I walked to the entryway and placed a hand on one of the pillars, sighing. "I know you probably can't hear me, but I am truly sorry, daughter. I should have been a better father and believed you when I didn't. I know I partook in gaslighting you, and...I am sorry for that. I don't deserve your forgiveness, nor do I expect it; I just want you to know I am sorry and regret my actions," I confessed and entered the temple. 

Bonus: She looked at me with big brown eyes and said, "You ai... Oh, Frens, you're back...you took longer this time...maybe that's because of the time skip. Time doesn't flow right around him...anyway, here you go. 

"Hey, Annie," I asked as I entered her office. A whole bunch of prayers just came in, and we heard the one from her father. I decided to check if she was ok. Honestly, that wasn't something we expected, but hearing the mortals ask forgiveness or leniency for the crimes they believe they've committed against children was hilarious. At least none of them deserved an immediate response, though I have a feeling after we show up at the temple, students are gonna be graded less harshly. 

"yeah, Thalia," I heard Annabeth's soft-spoken voice as if she was crying. 

"Oh honey, come here," I said, heading towards her with my arms open for a hug. While I was horny earlier, I still am, if I'm being honest, but Annie needs her auntie/sister, Thalia, not her sex-addicted lover, Thalia, at the moment.

Annabeth went into my hug and started crying into my shoulder. "Do you...Do you think he knew... knew we'd hear that?" she asked in between sniffles.

"I think he didn't expect us to hear that, Annie," I told her softly, rubbing circles on her back. 

She stayed cuddled into my arms, and her face buried into my breast for a long enough while for Reyna and Percy to both check on us. I could see in their eyes that they wanted to comfort Annabeth as well, but they also knew they weren't the person for that right now. 

A few minutes after Percy checked on us a second time, Lady Hestia walked in with what looked like freshly baked cookies. "Annabeth dear," she spoke softly, as a mother would to their child with their face buried deep into their pillow after crying their eyes out.

"yeah," She said without moving her face. 

"I brought cookies if you want some," she said softly and rubbed the back of her head. "They're freshly baked."

Annabeth moved her head out of my breast and tentatively grabbed a cookie, nibbling on it before becoming a seven-year-old and jumping in Lady Hestia's arms. "I didn't think they were that good," Hestia said, joking lightly as she handed smol bean Annabeth another cookie. "How bout we get you ready for dinner," Hestia said, carrying Annabeth off with more cookies, leaving me alone in Annabeth's office space. 

I looked around, cleaning up a little, before heading out to join Percy and Reyna for dinner, and quite possibly Annabeth and Hestia as well.