Here we go. Chapter 8. Sorry about the delay on this one guys. This was going to be a very short chapter and then I accidentally added another 4000 words on top of it before I knew it and eventually reached a total of well over 6000 words. It was a lot of fun to write though. Also I like writing lighter chapters from time to time so here we go. To those who asked me for lighter chapters here you go. For those who didn't. I'll be sure to give you depression again in the next chapter. At least I'm giving you wartime Zeus. I decided he's had enough hiding in the clouds. Also! They're making a Percy Jackson TV Series and Rick himself will be involved. Hopefully they finally get it right. I'm optimistic but I won't get my hopes up too much just yet.

To the person who messaged me requesting for more of Athena. This one's for you. Enjoy!

(Author Note: Warning. Some people may find the opening paragraph disturbing. This story is rated T for a reason. If you don't like depictions of extreme violence skip this part. The rest is much lighter. Also, wow. I just looked at my stats. We're about to hit 100 followers in barely 2 weeks. You guys are insane. Thank you all so much! I'll try and update this story as soon as possible!)

Athena:

I stood at the entrance to my temple as a storm raged all around me in a dark wrathful anger only my father could conjure. Olympus was under siege. Zeus had told us this wasn't over and he had kept his word. Rain lashed across my face spitefully as streaks of lightning shattered across the night sky in deafening explosions of white hot light, setting my nerves ablaze, along with most of the terrain around me, the relentless flames pushed towards the Olympus residential area ravenously, enveloping whole streets at a time as it moved over them. As the houses fell to fire the downpour stopped, the rain refusing to give relief to its enemies. I heard families cry out in terror as they were consumed by the flames but Zeus didn't care, the storm ripped through each and every soul with ruthless determination. Several terrified children broke away from the wreckage of their burning homes and ran towards my temple in a desperate bid to escape but it was for naught, the storm took a hold of them and launched them hundreds of feet in the air, turning them into screaming terrified blurs within the darkness, I could only watch on helplessly as they came crashing back down to reality silently, the wind whipping away the shattering of their bones and their cries of agony. The tempest turned to me and the wind began to roar in a vengeful hunger as it whistled towards me eagerly, mist became sharp barbed claws as the storm desperating clawed at me in vain as it tried to rip me apart limb from limb. Just as the clouds reached the temple boundary they stopped, the dark vapor merged as one and condensed itself until it became a murky impenetrable fog, the winds around me howled in outrage as my borders denied the fog their feast, the sky overhead crackled angrily in impatience as a volley of lightning tore apart the ground around me, leaving craters the size of small towns in its wake, finally, with one last hiss of disgust the clouds dispersed and the storm soared towards its next victim.

It was a young Dryad, one foolish enough to think her tree would give her sanctuary, the storm coiled around her tree like a viper ready to strike, the winds picked up speed, spinning round and round until it became a tornado, the Dryad was quite literally uprooted and battered around in the air like a toy before being tossed roughly back to the ground with a sickening crack, part of the trunk shattered into splinters causing the young girl within to cry out in pain as she emerged from her tree battered and bruised, her limbs hanging at her side uselessly, she fell to her knees and closed her eyes, accepting her fate. Unfortunately for her Fate was a cruel mistress, the clouds once again became claws as they began stripping the tree of its bark with zealous enthusiasm, as they tore through the tree the Dryad began to clutch at herself sobbing in a panic as the skin was peeled from her body piece by piece. She rolled onto her side and her sobs became a guttural scream of unbridled pure pain as the last of her skin was separated from her flesh, the storm continued, tearing into the base of the trunk with renewed energy, ravaging the Dryad until she was nothing but a husk of marred flesh of blood. The storm dispersed, leaving the Dryad to die an undignified death on the cold pavement, she let out a low gurgling moan as she began to choke and sputter violently, she tried to speak but her tattered voice box betrayed her, she tried to roll up in a ball and hug herself but it was too painful and her flesh was too raw, she rolled onto her back and lay there as she retched up her innards and slowly drowned in her own blood. I looked on in a mixture of pity and disgust as the poor girl finally went limp. It was a death that would have made Kronos himself proud.

Somewhere within the eye of the storm I heard the faint echo of laughter, I turned to face the noise and saw a shadowy swirling silhouette facing me from within the clouds, the only light emanating from two electric blue slits eyeing me with piercing rage, clashing violently with the swirling infinite grey around them. I could feel the power radiating from him in droves, he'd become the storm itself, a true force of nature.

"Father." I said curtly.

"Not anymore." The voice hissed back in disgust. "I see no daughter of mine before me. Only a traitor."

"Then it seems we have a difference of opinion." I said as we locked eyes and grey met blue. Lightning flashed behind him and for a fleeting moment I saw Zeus's face, he looked old and tired, his once proud features now maligned and twisted into a battered relic of what once was, he almost looked weak, it seemed the war had taken its toll on all of us. Even the almighty king himself. He wore an expression of rage and disappointment, he looked like he wanted nothing more than to smite me where I stood. Even still, somewhere behind his eyes I saw the man I knew and loved. My father.

"I warned you Athena." Zeus spat. "I did not want this. What happens next is on you. Not me."

There was a low hum of electricity as an untethered nervous voltage filled the air, a tremoring electric blue bolt appeared in Zeus's left hand, I could feel the flickering lightning reverberating around within the bolt, the storms from within were pleading desperately to be unleashed upon the world in all its devastating glory. I knew no simple boundary spell would stop it from striking me down. The master bolt chattered lightly as it shook in all its vengeful anticipation, it wanted nothing more than to render me to dust. Zeus raised his arm and levelled the flickering bolt to my chest. I could hear it calling to me, whispering sweet nothings in my ear as it pleaded with me to join it. I ignored its words and kept my eyes trained on my father. If he was going to do this he was going to have to look me in the eye as he did it. The master bolt surged with energy and the whispering became a deafening roar as it was shocked to life, my eyes began to water as it grew blindingly bright, it was like looking into the Sun itself. For a moment I thought Zeus might truly do it but at the last moment he let out a yell of frustration and redirected the bolt towards the mountain itself and fired, sending bolts as large as buildings into Olympus's foundations. The world shook as Olympus began to crumble into ruin, whole blocks of houses fell into the void as the ground disintegrated beneath them, the screams of anguish of the falling families were quickly stifled as the ground rushed to meet them. Olympus fell sharply to a side, leaving the ground tilting precariously at a steel angle, I felt the glow of Olympus dim as minor gods faded one by one as their last sanctum was ripped apart beneath their feet. Below, I heard the unmistakable sound of glass shattering as the ripples of the blast tore through the countless buildings that made up New York City.

I heard an orchestra of screams from below as the sleeping city was brought sharply out of its slumber, I heard panicked engines frantically rattle to life as the survivors attempted to flee, the ripple effect from the master bolt quickly tore through the streets and silenced the engines, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. I felt the foundation of Olympus shake once more as the illusion fell apart, for a brief moment we were back in Greece, the air grew hazy and began to shimmer, I saw chunks of the mountain disappear into nothingness as it was claimed by the void once more.

Olympus was fading.

I turned back to my father in horror as the dark clouds around him dispersed, revealing the God within. Zeus glided towards me and landed, surveying the damage in mournful confusion as he took in the carnage that was his former home. The once startling gold and marble that made up the majority of Olympus was now bathed in a blackened sea of ash that would have made Vesuvius blush, I saw a sea of bodies entombed within ash, their petrifying lady expressions preserved forever. I heard cries of anguish as their families rushed out and began to cry out they found the empty shapes of those they loved. Craters replaced streets that were once teeming with life. All around me temples crumbled within themselves leaving a barren wasteland in its place. Soon all that was left were a few lucky houses along the Main Street and the buildings of the Gods. Black steam continued to chug stubbornly from the many towers of Hephaestus's factory of a palace, completely oblivious to the chaos around him. Aphrodite peered out of her doll house of a castle and shot Zeus a dirty look before slinking back inside lest she get covered in smog and ruin her outfit. Dionysus opened the door to his villa cautiously before scowling at me and disappearing back inside. I looked over at the edge of my temple and slumped slightly as I watched a statue of my daughter crumble into dust before my eyes. I turned back to my father furiously and my hands began to crackle. Zeus merely raised an eyebrow as I approached him, I felt the storm begin to pick up again as the winds started to howl, I looked at Zeus expectantly but he wasn't paying attention to me but something behind me. I turned around and I saw a little girl wandering through the carnage, unfazed by the storms that threatened to tear her apart any second. As she drew closer I realised why. Hestia was not one to cower and hide, especially to her younger brother. She walked towards us casually, ignoring the winds that snapped and clawed at the air around her, they wouldn't attack her. They knew better.

"Zeus." Hestia said lowly as she reached my side and eyed her brother.

"Sister." Zeus's voice said back, his voice piqued with curiosity.

"You've gone too far Zeus. Even for you. You have killed innocent people. Our people."

"My people." Zeus hissed.

Hestia turned away from her brother and looked over at the torn carcass of the young Dryad and I saw a cold fury pass over the normally peaceful Goddess as her form flickered and she began to change, growing from a child to a full grown woman in the blink of an eye, she turned back to her youngest sibling and faced him down, her piercing brown eyes looking at him in pure contempt and disapproval, the storm swayed from side to side slightly in apprehension as Hestia's hands began to glow. I almost flinched just standing next to her. I'd never seen Hestia like this. She looked scarily like her mother when she was angry. Judging from the quieting storm Zeus shared my thoughts, thunder tumbled overhead nervously as the clouds returned and thickened around their Lord protectively.

"You have done enough brother. Leave. Now. I will not ask again." As she spoke her eyes burst to life, a red hot inferno burned endlessly behind them, I could sense the heat radiating off her in droves, causing my skin to boil and blister. Zeus bowed his head stiffly and raised the master bolt above his head, one final crack echoed throughout the night as Zeus disappeared in a flash of lightning, leaving the smell of sulfur in his wake.

Hestia's eyes returned to normal as she shrank back down to her usual form, she placed a comforting hand on my arm and I felt the blisters close up and disappear.

"Thank you Hestia." I murmured softly.

Hestia nodded and walked briskly towards the fallen Dryad falling to her knees as she reached her, Hestia took the Dryad's hand in hers.

"It's okay little one." She whispered as she brushed her fingers across Dryad's cheek. "I release you. Return home."

The smell of the Wild filled my nose as the Dryad faded away in a peaceful summer breeze.

Hestia sniffed slightly and rose to her feet, she looked around at the chasm that had replaced the homes of the people of Olympus, she sighed mournfully and her eyes began to water.

"The families were my responsibility. I failed them." Hestia whispered solemnly.

"This is not on you Hestia. This is on Zeus." I said reassuringly as I walked over to her and placed an arm on her shoulder.

"Believe me. I am not forgetting him. He will pay." Hestia vowed coldly, her eyes flickered slightly as she spoke.

"He will. I'll make sure of it."

Hestia nodded and wandered towards the wreckage of a house, she waved her hand and a fireplace appeared in the ruins. A fire roared to life and with it, the ever comforting smell of home cooked food. Hestia stoked the flames and the fire surged to life, doubling in size at her touch, warming the side of my face gently as it did.

"So what now?" I asked as Hestia wandered into the fire.

"I have funerals to prepare."

"Take care Hestia." I said as she entered the flames and disappeared.

As Hestia vanished, Olympus once again began flickering with energy, the ground beneath my feet began to shake slightly as it slowly slipped closer to the Earth. Olympus was gradually slipping further and further out of reality, soon it would fall completely. Perhaps Hepheastus could be of help. Sighing, I brushed the dust off my clothes and headed in the direction of his Palace.

As I left the temple borders I passed a statue of Ares. Looking Just as smug as its really life counterpart was. Of course he was still standing, his statue seemed to be smirking at me as I looked at it in disgust. I flicked my hand and it was reduced to rubble. I was still annoyed with that poor excuse for a war god. Even in death he was still an annoyance.

Since Ares died his domain should have fallen to me but it seemed to have just... Vanished. That power couldn't have just disappeared, I'd tried to look for answers but there was no precedent for the loss of an Olympian so I was left without answers. As for Poseidon's domain, the Ocean's remained in limbo, refusing to allow itself to be tamed by a new master, several minor Sea Gods had attempted to bring it under their control but all who tried were taken in by the tide, never to be seen again. It was infuriating. I hated not knowing. It drove me insane. My head began to pound in my anger. The mystery of the rogue domains was giving me a headache. I felt like another child would pop out of my skull any second now. I set the thought aside, filing them away neatly in a cabinet in my mind, dwelling on the unsolvable was unwise.

I walked down the barren streets and passed the crowds of wailing mourners who stared at me uneasily as I passed. A son of Ares scowled and shot me a dirty look as he saw me. I ignored him and continued towards the clouds of black smoke. Just as I passed a pair of heavy steel gates that marked the beginning of Hephaestus's territory I felt an echo of a Godly presence flying towards me at great speed, I ducked at the last second just as a paper airplane the size of a small car passed over my head, narrowly missing me. As it touched the ground it strank to the size of a standard A4 piece of paper with a symbol of a bronze Caduceus, Hermes.

I rolled my eyes, Hermes had been a pesky thorn in my side for the last five years. He didn't quite seem to understand the concept of warfare, to him war was an endless tirade of pranks, each more annoying than the last.

Last month he'd sent a plague of locusts after the Olympus postman along with stealing Aphrodite's favourite shoes. This month he'd taken to leaving Cornucopia's filled with fruit all over Hercules's villa. Ever since that unfortunate incident with the McLean girl Hercules had never been the same. Whenever he saw fruit he had a panic attack and started swinging at whatever was closest to him. Which was unfortunate for his pet Newman lion. It had taken us three long hours to finally get the pair of them to stop fighting. To add insult to injury Hermes had used the Herculean distraction as an opportunity to cause me even more problems. He, with the aid of his tiresome children, had broken into Camp Half Blood and swapped the head of the Athena Parthenos for the head of a statue of the Minotaur. I had taken that personally, that was the last gift my daughter had given to me. As a result I broke into Hermes's abandoned palace and stole his prized winged sandals. Apparently he had learned of my theft. I picked up the letter and turned it over and began to read the messy scrawl of handwriting.

To Athena.

I have applied an adult content filter to the Camp Half Blood WiFi router. Only I know the password to deactivate it. Unless you want to lose the entire male demigod population you will return my sandals in fourteen days, by midnight on the summer solstice or there will be war on a scale you cannot even imagine. If you thought it was bad so far, just you wait. I haven't even gotten started on your temple. Also all the Olympus Televisions are now programmed to only show reruns of your little contest against Arachne. The real footage this time. I did not want to do this but until you see reason and end this petty war I will continue to strike you where it hurts most.

P.S. Since you stole my sandals Aegis now has the face of a Pomeranian on it.

P.P.S. Please tell Aphrodite to stop using my throne as a footrest. Not cool.

P.P.P.S. This paper will self-destruct in five seconds.

I dropped the paper immediately. 1...2...3...4… I looked down at the note expectantly, waiting for it to explode or burst into flames but it did… Nothing. I looked at the still intact paper in disappointment, shaking my head. Hermes was many things, but a magician was not one of them. I cast the paper aside and summoned Aegis, turning it over and looking at the face on its front. It was a Pomeranian, luckily Hephaestus was a much better craftsman than Hermes. He could fix it in no time. I headed over towards his Palace doors and rapped my knuckles on the thick doors.

I heard a series of clicks and clunks as thousands of security locks were dismantled as the doors swung open. I was greeted with a rather cheery looking Hephaestus.

"Hello Hephaestus. How goes your family bonding time?"

"It's going great." Hephaestus said happily. "Mother and I are having dinner for the first time in a century. We're finally starting to bond." In the distance I could hear Hera's indignant screams of outrage.

"Hephaestus! Release me now! I am a Goddess. I will not be bound like this!" Hers roared in anger.

"I can tell." I said with a slight smile. Hera's continued torment was my only real source of happiness these days.

"What did you do to her?"

"Aw nothing much. Just a few nails to help keep her in place. Nothing she can't handle." Hephaestus said casually.

I heard the sound of crashing and a triumphant cry of celebration as Hera's frantic footsteps moved further and further away.

Hephaestus sighed and poked his head back in the door. "Talos! Activate defence mode 7! Capture Hera! Queen of the Gods!"

"Talos?" I asked. "Isn't that the automation that malfunctioned and killed that daughter of Hades, along with half the population of Gila Claw?"

"Yep… But he's all fixed now."

I heard a whirring sound in the background as a robot voice spoke from somewhere within the place. "Confirmed. Activate defence mode 11. Fracture Hera. Queen of the Dogs."

"Nooooo!" I heard Hera's voice cry out in pain as the unmistakable sound of fractured bones cracked out sharply.

"Okay." Hephaestus said sheepishly. "Maybe I have a few kinks left to iron out but he's mostly fixed now. Talos hasn't killed anyone in weeks."

"Fracture. Fracture. Ow. Ow. Cease your damage, Queen of Dogs." I heard the sound of steel bending as Hera pounded her fists against the rogue Automaton repeatedly.

"Ow. Damage detected. Bad doggy. No walks for you."

"Arghhh!" Hera cried. "Hephaestus. I'm sorry. I'll come quietly. Just get rid of that stupid robot before he starts a fire." Hepheastus flinched as she spoke.

I heard the heavy footsteps stop as Talos spoke again. "Did you say fire?" There was a brief silence and I noticed Hepheastus had paled considerably.

"Fire suppression system activated." Talos said as I heard the sound of a sprinkler system the size of a small tunnel open up.

"No!" Hera and Hephaestus yelled in panicked unison. I heard a roar of water as a flood passed through the palace, silencing Hera's indignant cries. Hephaestus quickly jumped outside and slammed the door firmly behind him.

"Oh." Hephaestus said in a confused voice as he looked around at the ruins of Olympus. "What happened here? Did you do some remodelling? It looks different."

"Father happened." I sighed in exasperation. "How did you not notice?"

"I was having dinner…" Hephaestus said sheepishly. I can fix it up if you want. It won't be easy though so it'll cost you."

"That's fine. What do you need?"

"Let me take you out sometime?" He asked hopefully. I rolled my eyes, three thousand years and he still couldn't take a hint.

"No Hephaestus. Zeus will wear a pink dress and sing soprano before I ever go out with you."

"Fine." Hephaestus grumbled. "Let me have a look in your library and you've got a deal. I'd love to have a peak at Daedalus's laptop

"Okay. I'll give you one hour."

Hephaestus modded excitedly, rubbing his hands together in glee. "One hour Hephaestus. No more."

"Yeah… Yeah sure Athena. You got it."

We stood there in silence for a few moments before I started to stare at my Blacksmith expectantly.

"Oh yeah. Right. Olympus." Hephaestus snapped his fingers and the rubble reformed to brick and reconnected, I watched in shock as Olympus regrew before my very eyes. Hephaestus wasn't so impressed, he was tinkering with a strange metal contraption he'd pulled out his belt. He saw me looking and spoke up breathlessly. "There we go. Shame I couldn't fix up the people. They're so fragile. It's a real design flaw."

I looked at him stunned, he truly was a waste of talent. So many hours wasted playing with his little automatons when he had this level of power at his fingertips.

"So… Anything else?" Hephaestus asked impatiently.

"For starters. This." I said as I handed over my vandalised shield. Hephaestus turned Aegis over in his hands and grunted in amusement.

"Hermes again?"

"Unfortunately yes."

"Three hours and you got a deal."

"Two."

"Three."

"Two."

"Two and a half?" Hephaestus asked hopefully.

"Two."

"Fine. I'll have it fixed by tomorrow. But I need you to do something else for me."

"What do you need?"

"Could you speak to Aphrodite and have her return a binder for me?"

"You don't want to see her? She is your wife."

"Not for long. And no. Every time I visit her she throws herself at me. It's… Distracting."

"I must say I'm surprised. I thought that would be what you wanted."

"Once upon a time. That time has passed. Once Mother sees the light I'm going to have her annul our marriage." Hephaestus looked down at the ground awkwardly, it was clear, despite his words he still cared for Aphrodite, he looked up and faced me again, clearing his throat before he spoke again. Was he… Blushing? "She has some pictures of me. Pictures I'd rather not see the light of day anytime soon. I'd appreciate it if you could… Retrieve them for me."

Outside my face remained vacant but inside I was laughing, no wonder he was blushing.

"Very well Hephaestus. I shall do as you ask." I said in a neutral tone, I decided to have a little fun with him. "What is the nature of the pictures? I need to know in the event that I have to look for them."

Hephaestus's face darkened and turned into a deep crimson red. "Ummm… You'll know when you see them. Anyway I have to go… Mother's calling. Goodbye Athena."

I sighed, dreading what was coming next. I closed my eyes and teleported to Aphrodite's castle.

I arrived in a nauseatingly pink bedroom, at the edge of the room sat the most infuriatingly beautiful being I'd ever seen. Humming happily to herself in her chair as she applied makeup to her face incessantly.

"Hello Aphrodite." I said quietly.

"Athena!" Aphrodite shouted as she span about in her seat and enthusiastically ran towards me, clutching me in her intoxicating hug.

"What are you doing here?" She said with a gorgeous grin as I was finally released from her clutches.

"You've been absent from our last three council meetings, what happened?" I asked coldly.

"I've been busy."

"Busy… Doing what?"

"Oh… You know. Socialising." The Goddess of Love said with a lustful sigh. I rolled my eyes.

"Useful as always Aphrodite."

"Hey. I'm doing my bit for the war effort too you know."

"Oh really? What, pray tell, are you doing for us?"

"Making a new generation of demigods. Someone has to do it. Artemis and Hestia certainly won't. Dionysus is too drunk to function down there and you're… Well you're… You."

I looked down and shuffled my feet awkwardly. Ever since… Annabeth. I just couldn't bring myself to have any more children. I couldn't go through that loss again.

Aphrodite sensed my sadness and looked at me sympathetically.

"I'm sorry honey. You know I didn't mean it like that."

"It's fine. You didn't mean anything by it." I said gruffly.

"She was a great girl. I liked her. Percy was too. Boy that is, not girl. And what a boy he was… Mmmm." Aphrodite's eyes glazed over as she began to daydream.

"Aphrodite. Snap out of it." I sighed impatiently.

"Right. Sorry Athena. So… What brings you here? Are you finally going to let me give you a makeover?" She asked hopefully, giving me her trademark puppy eyes that captured many a man's heart.

"No. Not today Aphrodite. I'm here for Hephaestus."

Aphrodite's expression soured. "Ahh… What does he need?"

"He said you have some… Pictures of him he'd like returned."

"Oh… Oh okay." Aphrodite murmured sadly, she waved her hand and a hot pink photo album appeared in her hand. "I was hoping I could hold onto these but okay. You have them." Aphrodite said, looking crestfallen as she offered the binder over to me. Her eyes were slightly watery. Was she crying?

"Aphrodite. Are you upset?"

"I'm not used to being broken up with I guess. It hurts. And those photos are the last thing I have of Hephy's… I miss the lumbering idiot. Oh well. If you love someone… Well, you know how it goes."

"Aphrodite. I'm not exactly a relationship expert but from what I've seen Hephaestus still cares deeply for you. You may be able to salvage your relationship if you truly tried."

Aphrodite looked at me and frowned, as if I'd just given her an impossible equation to solve, or any equation in her case.

"You may be right. But the question is, how?"

"Well. For a start, perhaps you stop running around with every man you meet. And maybe consider actually talking with your husband."

"Athena. You're a genius! I never thought of not. No wonder you're the Goddess of Wisdom. Thank you!"

"Mmm." I mumbled.

"I feel like a simple thank you isn't enough, you deserve a reward."

My ichor ran cold, I knew what was coming. "No. No Aphrodite. Thanks is all I need."

"No, don't be silly, silly, you deserve something for your help. Hmm… I know. I give you my blessing!" Aphrodite squealed in excitement as her hand started to glow.

"No Aphrodite!" I cried in horror but it was too late. I felt my hair knot up and fall into place flawlessly, the fabric on my clothes was torn away and replaced with a gorgeous white dress that fitted me unnaturally well.

"Oh my gods!" Aphrodite screamed. "You look amazing! Look!" She waved her hand and a full length mirror appeared in front of me. I looked at myself in the mirror, I'd been turned into a grey eyed Barbie.

"Toodles!" Aphrodite said as she gave me a seductive wave and vanished in a poof of pink smoke.

I sighed to myself, it would only last a few days, it's not the end of the world. I closed my eyes and willed myself to appear just outside the war room beneath my temple. I arrived and wandered down the stairs and entered.

The room was made of a bright reflective gold, it was jarring to the unfamiliar eye, you could easily get lost in it if you looked too closely, it was a blinding kaleidoscope that would mesmerise a weaker mind, many a trespasser had lost their mind upon entry. For those who weren't driven insane they saw it for what it truly was, a perfect room of mirrors that left no corner out of sight. That was by design, the last thing I wanted was to be taken by surprise in my own domain. I walked towards the table laden with countless maps and battle plans, my heels clattered loudly across the floor as I approached, hunched over the table deep in thought was a young Cyclops, he was now so tall he couldn't stand up straight in here, that didn't stop him from trying on occasion. Much to my amusement.

"Hello General Tyson."

Tyson spun around and sprinted excitedly at full speed head on into a wall.

"No General. That's not me." Tyson spun about and sprinted in another wall. "Not that one either. Or that one. Oh hold on." I waved my hand and appeared at his side. I was quickly wrapped in a constricting hug that would have squeezed the air out of me if I had needed to breathe, he tightened his hold and lifted me several feet in the air and spun us around giddily. If he were anyone else he'd have been blasted across the room before he could touch me but, in truth, I had a soft spot for the young Cyclops. He was still a child at heart and I appreciated that.

"You smell nice my Lady." Tyson said cheerily as he sniffed my shoulder like a curious puppy.

"Thank you General. You can put me down now."

"Okay." Tyson said happily as he dropped me. I fell down gracelessly and smacked my head on the solid granite floor leaving me seeing stars, a curious wide eyed Cyclops peered over at me in concern.

"My Lady? Are you hurt? Did I hurt you?" Tyson asked in confusion.

"No General. I'm fine. Help me up."

"Okay!" Tyson said cheerily as he pulled me sharply to my feet, also ripping my arm out the socket in the process. I rubbed my arm

"Sorry." Tyson said sheepishly.

"It's quite alright General, don't worry." Tyson nodded nervously and backed away from me, I looked him up and down, his armour was badly dented and covered in what looked like a mixture of sap and blood.

"I see you made it back from Alaska in one piece, I hope Lycaon's pack didn't cause your forces too many problems."

"They didn't don't worry." Tyson said with a smile. "Those mean wolf people attacked us in a forest while we were sleeping so we bashed them with those big leafy sticks and they ran away."

"I'm afraid I don't follow. Leafy sticks?"

"Big sticks. The ones that grow out the ground. With leaves on them."

"Do you mean trees General?"

"Yes." Tyson said proudly. "Trees."

"Good. I'm glad your… Sticks proved useful."

"Yes! The sticks were very good! We stopped the bad wolf people before they attacked the camp."

"I'm glad. Camp morale has been low ever since Percy died. Another attack would have been disastrous." I sighed.

"Percy is alive." Tyson said insistently, I didn't bother arguing otherwise. I'd long since given up trying to tell the poor young Cyclops otherwise.

"I hope so Tyson. I hope so."

"He is. I'd know if he wasn't. I knew when daddy was gone… I could feel it. But Percy isn't, I can still sense him. He's alive."

Another Cyclops entered the room and whispered in Tyson's ear.

"Oh…" Tyson said looking crestfallen. "I have to go. Wolf people are attacking my friends. I have to go and bash them."

"Goodbye General." I said, I couldn't help but smile at his happiness.

"Goodbye Lady Athena!" Tyson said enthusiastically as he headed for the doors, as he passed through a smaller figure, narrowly avoiding being crushed by the sheer width of Tyson, he chuckled lightly at the cheery Cyclops and entered the room, as he drew closer the smell of ozone and burned rubber followed. Apollo. He shot me a blinding grin and I saw stars, his teeth were annoyingly bright. Apollo looked me up and down in confusion, almost as if he was struggling to recognise me.

"Athena I-" Apollo mumbled at me speechless. "Wha- What happened to you. You're hot!"

"Aphrodite happened." I sighed. "Look Apollo. It's been a long day. If this isn't urgent can't it wait until-"

"No Athena it can't wait. Percy Jackson is alive."

"What?"

"We found him. He's wounded but alive."

"Where?"

"He's with Artemis. She's taking care of him."

I looked at him suspiciously. Why would Artemis take care of a boy?

"Apollo. If this is some kind of joke I swear I will encase the Sun in so many layers of Celestial Bronze you won't ever shine again."

Apollo paled at the threat.

"I'm not joking. Percy is alive."

My mind raced. Percy was alive. I thought back to the worst day of my life. The day I lost Annabeth, the day I failed and watched Percy breath his last. After all these years I finally had a chance to make things right.

"Take me to him. Now."

There we go. Chapter 8 is done. This was a lot of fun to write but also pretty hard. There was a lot to keep track of here, unfortunately I was forced to cut a lot of content to be able to get this chapter out on time. If I hadn't this chapter would be double the length and I wouldn't have updated for a week. I think it's better to keep all these chapters at a similar length for now. If you guys disagree let me know I'm open to creating longer chapters if that's what you want however it will result in more waiting for content. As for this chapter. I really enjoyed creating Zeus's storm and the carnage that ensued afterwards. I bet a few of you thought I might actually kill Athena. I'm not saying I won't one day but she is far too interesting to kill that quickly. As far as I'm concerned no one is off limits, if their death will benefit the story and can be done right they will die. I feel like too many fan fictions refuse to actually kill characters but to me it just takes away the tension from the story. So allow me to be very clear. Your favourite character may one day just die. However. I don't believe Zeus himself would ever kill his daughters, Artemis and Athena have long been his favourite children so it wouldn't work. No matter the situation. Also I have finally put Hestia into my story, something I've been looking to do for a while. She's a great character and I like her and Percy's friendship so I'll absolutely be using her again. Next chapter actually. Speaking of which, Chapter 9 will be out as soon as possible. It will likely be a long one as there is a lot to cover in it. Should be out soon though. I've been getting a lot of people asking for Pertemis. It will happen but I won't rush it. It may be a long time before they truly get together. Someone messaged me asking me to write lemon for them. I'm not sure honestly. I feel like it would clash awkwardly with the story I'm trying to tell without adding much. I'm not opposed to them having sex one day but I feel like lemon isn't needed. Anyway time to address comments, again I can't get to them all as there were a lot but I'll do what I can. First off. Riptide. Damn bro. Thank you for your numerous detailed comments. I love getting long reviews. They mean more to me than favourites or follows or any of that. I'm glad you noticed I include actual mythology here. You're the first one to have caught that I think. Yes Percy's heart is absolutely going to be important. There's a reason I chose that to be his lifeline and for Artemis to notice there was something up with it. Ceros. Thanks as usual for your insanely detailed reviews along with all your feedback you sent me over DM. I'm very glad you enjoyed the humour in chapter 7 along with how I wrote Artemis. I absolutely don't want to make her dependent on any one person as that's not her so yes her non romantic relationships were very important to me. As for your worry. Give it time. Trust me I am not going to make Percy technically unkillable. Thank you to all the other guest comments as well. It's very much appreciated. Anyway. I think I've said enough for now. I'll see you guys soon with chapter 9!