Chapter Thirty-Two - I Have A Domestic During A War
Posted: Tuesday 4th June 2024

When the time came for us to head to the acropolis I was ready to smash some giants in the face. We descended from the Argo II and used the element of surprise that we had over the giants to our full advantage.

Jason fell directly on Porphyrion's head with so much momentum that the giant fell two his knees, only to be immediately blasted with lightning and stabbed in the neck. Frank materialised seemingly out of nowhere and fired a volley of arrows into the giants nearest to where Piper, Percy and Annabeth were surrounded. Hazel and her horse Arion charged into battle, destroying an army of the snake people with one blast of rock. Annabeth was locked in a deadly game of tag with Periboia around the throne. Despite what looked like a bad nosebleed, Percy was sword fighting Thoon and Piper mowing down rows of monsters with just her dagger. Leo circled overheard in the Argo II, firing volleys of ammunition into the crowds of earthborne.

I was the last to enter the fray, mainly because the only way for me to get down there was to shadow travel and it took me a few moments to build up the courage. Eventually I did, and set my sighs on where Otis and Ephilaties were.

I materialised out of the shadows of one of the columns near them and launched my attack. My world became nothing but dodging, slashing and attacking. Eventually I was able to get a good shot in, right at Ephilaties' chest. I felt that strange power flow through me, but this time I did not reist it. I let it surge through my blade and with that, Ephilaties became a pile of golden dust.

In a rage, Otis howled, and before I could regain my senses, I was flug across the acropolis, landing at the feet of Porphyrion. Luckily, the giant king was too focused on something head of him to notice me and crush me beneath his feet. I scrambled to my feet just in time to watch as a drop of blood fell from Percy's chin and landed on the ground.

The earth itself seemed to hum to life.

I scrambled to my feet, somewhat in a daze from my unscheuled flight across the acropolis, as what felt like an earthquake ripped through the acropolis and took my place with the rest of the demigods. I tightened my grip on my sword, not prepared to let any of us go down without taking a good number of giants down too.

Then something wonderful happened, and suddenly I was no longer the only hope of defeating giants. The heavens themselves seemed to part and gave way to the gods.

Yes, all of the gods, decked out in full godly battle armour, in their chariots joined the fray.

Without a second thought, we demigods charged back into the fray.

This time my sights were set on Hippolytos, I raised my sword and began playing a game of cat and mouse with the giant. Soon I was joined by Apollo.

"Oh hi," I said, barley containing an eye roll as I dodged a bolder sent my way by the giant. "Decided to leave Delos then?"

"The Romans and the Greeks are united," said Apollo, "their feud is over. We are free to fight beside you."

"And Zeus?"

"I'm sure he'll address it later, but we're a bit busy at the moment." Apollo notched an arrow from his golden quiver.

"You don't say," I replied curtly. Then I charged at the giant again. Another haze fell upon me as it often did in battle. Time hardly passed and the world became nothing but ducking, dodging and slashing. I was fairly certain that Apollo had tried to speak to me several times, but I hadn't noticed. I had however noticed himself and Artemis fighting side by side with me for the entire time.

The gods and Demigods were forming a group in the center of the Parthenon. Without a word to the twin gods beside me, I crossed to join the group.

"Ri, talk to me." Apollo said as we trudged over.

"I really don't think now is the time Apollo," I said, "lets get this war over, then I'll yell at you."

"The giants are defeated," Apollo rebutted.

"But Gaia has risen because of a war you started, and now we have to face Zeus without him smiting either of us," I said. "We need to present a united front, so please, don't make me anymore mad than I already am." A hot ball of rage towards Apollo had formed within me. This was entirely his fault, it was his fault that Gaia was awake and trying to destroy the world.

Apollo shut up, if it was because of my thinly veiled threat, or because Zeus strode towards the gathered demigods and immortals, I couldn't be sure.

The gods fanned out in a semicircle as Zeus approached and the demigods gathered in the middle. Jason left his father and moved to join the demigods.

I teetered for a moment in the no-mans land between the gods and demigods, before silently taking my place beside Apollo in the shadow of a column where he and Artemis were almost hiding.

"Bretheren," thundered Zeus, "we are healed thanks to the work of these demigods. The Athena Parthenos, which once stood in this temple, now stands at Camp Halfblood. It has united our offspring, and thus our own essences."

Through my rage, I realised that I was perhaps in just as much trouble with Zeus as Apollo. I had gone against Olympus (even though it had been unwillingly) and I was currently pregnant with a child that was prophesied to kill Zeus.

I shrunk back into the the column with the twins and tried to disappear, subcounciously grabbing for Apollo's hand. He glanced at me and despite the argument we were bound to have later, he squeezed my hand reassuringly.

"Lord Zeus," Piper spoke up, "is Reyna okay? Nico and Coach Hedge?"

"They succeeded in their mission," said Zeus, "as of this moment, they are alive. Whether or not they are okay-"

"There is still work to be done," Hera interrupted him, "but my heroes," she spread her arms at the seven demigods, "you have triumphed over the giants, as I knew you would. My plan succeeded beautifully."

"Hera, do not take credit! You have caused at least as many problems as you have fixed!"

"Husband, surely you know this was the only way-"

"There is never only one way," Zeus bellowed, "that is why there are three Fates, not one. Is this not so?" The three fates who were gathered a short distance away bowed their heads.

"Please husband," Hera almost begged, "I only did what I-"

"Silence," Zeus snapped, "You disobeyed my orders. Nevertheless... I recognise you acted with honest intentions. The valour of these seven heroes has proven that you were not without wisdom. Apollo however..." Zeus eyes turned to where Artemis, Apollo and I were almost cowering in the darkness of a column.

His eyes flickered with barely veiled rage when he saw me.

"My son, come here."

Apollo dropped my hand shuffled forwards, fear evident in his face. Artemis took my other hand and held it tightly, and it seemed we were perhaps the only two people in the world who were more scared of what could happen to Apollo than himself.

"Thirce you have defied me," Zeus said, his voice quivering with electricity, "first you married the daughter of Nyx against my strict orders. Then you succumbed to flattery and vanity, encouraging your descendant Octavian to pursue war and you premiturley revealed a prophecy that may yet destroy us all."

"Father-"

"Enough!" Zeus boomed, "we will speak of your punishment later. For now, you will wait on Olympus." Zeus waved his hand and Apollo was gone.

"What will you do with him?" I demanded, stepping forward. Artemis tried to hold me back, but I cast her aside. I didn't care about Zeus' fury, the anger that I had felt towards Apollo came bursting out directed at Zeus.

"That is none of your concern," Zeus replied, "you should be grateful you are not implicated daughter of Nyx, I have not forgotten your broken oath."

"I think is is my concern actually." I snapped back, "he's my husband."

"And the father of your child?" Zeus raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps it will be better that you share in his punishment?"

"That's not what I meant!" I snapped back. The air grew ionised and the hairs on my arms began to stand on end.

"It is settled, Ariadne will go to Olympus until my brother's fate is decided," Artemis stepped forwards. I shot Artemis a furious look, I had to stay with the demigods and help against Gaia, I could not be cooped up on Olympus again.

"No I-" I started.

"Very well," Zeus said, cutting me off before I could get a word in to defend myself. "We will discuss the broken oath of the Daughter of Nyx along with Apollo's punishment." With that, he waved his hand again and the next thing I knew I was in the living room of the house Apollo and I shared on Olympus with nothing but my anger at Zeus and worry for Apollo to keep me company.