บท 120: DA : Chapter 120: Turn On Each Other IV
At the end of the day we are far happier than what once was and so pity you," she said, shaking her head softly as she turned away.
"Third times the charm right? No longer seeing you gods as a cowering mortal or a spiteful monster but more as an equal has opened our eyes. Maybe you'll see it too someday if that is the will of Lady Chaos."
...
Both Medusa and Arachne turned away, leaving the devastated goddess as they began to walk away without another word. They opened the single door of the room and walked out without a single glance back, leaving the goddess strung up, with a stinging back, and an aching heart. She wouldn't have been able to say anything if they had stayed. Their words had hurt more than any weapon or torture could have, even after millennia of battle, both of the physical and verbal nature.
Ever the proud goddess she remained silent, her heart screaming and warring against her own ego and pride as a goddess.
To try and beg for forgiveness, that she was wrong after so long against the entitlement of being a goddess, that it was her right and will to punish those who dared defy or betray her. Her lips moved but no words came as her eyes fell closed and her head ducked down, a single tear breaking free and trailing down her cheek but there was no one to see…
...
Next Day, Evening, Annabeth
In a flash of gold the goddess appeared just outside the borders of New Rome, the fields of Mars stretching on behind her. Dressed casually in simple jean shorts and black blouse, her hair in a pony-tail, and beach sandals on her feet.
She looked every bit the classic California girl as the last rays of sunlight reflected off her golden blonde hair, her literal sun kissed skin radiating with health like only a goddess could. The picture of beauty beyond mortal's ability to achieve.
And yet it was her cold steely grey eyes that complete negated any warmth from her.
Those eyes reflecting the trials and pain experienced by this demigoddess turned goddess. A warrior, tactician, supporter, and leader. The proof of why she belonged to the 'Strongest Generation" seen in millennia and one of the only demigods to have ever survived in Tartarus.
It was such a goddess that approached the city, not even glancing at any that saw her. None approached though, her gaze doing more than enough to subdue them as most simply stepped back, their heads bowed in submission. Internally it pained her to see them like this.
So afraid of her not just for her demeanor but because she was now a goddess. That these demigods almost instinctually avoided even irritating her in fear of their own lives. And the scary question that had come to her repeatedly for the last 24 hours or so; did she merit such fear as well?
Last night had truly thrown her for a loop, seeing the unease and worry sow itself into the demigod forces meant to attack the now revealed primordials. It was only the barest of whispers, most of them caught by her only because she wasn't as easily recognized as the older deities but it was there. Thoughts and ideas of turning back. Of defecting.
Of going home rather than face seemingly impossible odds. Luckily it seemed only she and possibly Leo had caught these comments because otherwise, she wasn't sure what one of the older gods, or worse yet, an Olympian would do. Such comments were more than enough to be considered traitors by the likes of Zeus or Artemis, whereas Hera cared for none. She was only set on ripping apart both Thalia and Percy, especially after being so thoroughly humiliated in the attack.
At least they had a little over a week while Leo and Hephaestus completed the repairs before the ships could move again but Annabeth wondered if any demigods would try their luck to sneak away. Her own siblings had turned to her after seeing their mother taken with such ease and many, especially their youngest, had broken down at the thought of Athena joining her sibling in the Realm of the Faded. But for now Annabeth had other concerns, questions that needed to be answered and she would get them … by any means necessary.
So with that in mind she crossed New Rome, idly noticing the quiet of the city as news of their first battle and humiliation at the hands of three opponents made it back to the city. If she remembered correctly Chiron had been the one to receive the news from Hermes but she had no idea how the old centaur took it.
But if she truly knew him, then his thoughts were on the safety of the demigods far more than the vendetta of the gods. Perhaps she would speak with him tomorrow before she returned to the makeshift camp of the army but until then, she tracked down one key signature she was unfortunately familiar with.
Leaving the limits of New Rome proper but still within the barrier and bounds of Terminus she made it into the neighborhood given over to the gods after their arrival. Olympus was left all but abandoned, turned into a mountain of cold and desolation ever since Riptide was planted into the empty hearth of the throne room. She looked over the villas once meant for the demigod heroes of the prophecy, grimacing in distaste at some modifications made by the new residents.
She then stopped as she arrived at what was once the home of Jason and Piper, two friends she knew were driven away by the actions of the Olympians. Or more specifically, the manipulations of a particular few gods, all of which she was sadly very familiar with. Ignoring the horribly pink paint added to their former home she approached. Her steps were steady as she read the signature of the one she was looking for and with a flick of her wrist, erected a barrier right over the house itself.
Anti-flash, sound containment, and anti-demigod functions placed within. She slapped a hand onto a wall beside the door, a golden flare of power pouring off to engrave the series of Greek runes and stabilize the barrier needing only her power to function now. A few seconds later it was complete so she turned to the door … and kicked it clean off its hinges.
With a crash it flew back and Annabeth caught the scared squeak of the goddess within. She walked in, her every step echoing within the now dreadfully silent home as she took it in. A simple living room with L styled couch drowned under plushies of every kind, flat-screen TV playing some pointless soap, and pictures teetering on the bounds of porno decorating the walls. She took it all in within seconds before her eyes focused on her objective.
With dirty blonde hair this time around spilling over her shoulders, dulled blue eyes, paled skin, and a rather plain, if tight, shirt and jean combo, Aphrodite had never looked plainer. Even Annabeth had to admit to herself that once upon a time she dreamed and wondered what rolling in the sheets with that goddess would be like, and it got worse when she became a goddess. Never before had she thought a god's libido could be so … demanding.
It made her somewhat more understanding of why gods sought out far more than their spouses, even if in the end she detested infidelity. It also increased her respect for the virginal and very few faithful gods.
Infidelity. Even the thought of the word left a bad taste in her mouth and brought a shame to her like no other. Her will simply hadn't been enough and when she gave an inch, a mile was taken. Perhaps she'd been physically satisfied but it never removed the guilt or self-loathing, especially when she hid it away and ran at the only opening she was given.
But the past was set and now she had to look to her future … but first she was getting every ounce of information withheld all these years from her.
As such her eyes narrowed on Aphrodite as the goddess squirmed under her gaze. She walked towards her, more of a predatory stalk, before she stood only a few feet away and leaning over the weakened goddess.
"H-Hey … Annabeth," Aphrodite greeted shakily. "What's up?"
"Oh, not much, just thought I'd stop by for a few things while the camp settles out," she replied with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"And h-how are things with the a-army?" the love goddess continued, squirming in her seat all the while.
'No backbone, perfect,' the younger goddess thought with a near vicious internal smirk.
"Good enough. Nearly broken morale, lots of injured, and a few dead in both demigod and godly ranks but get this, the demigods losses were from friendly fire!" she returned as she leaned closer to the cowering goddess. "But I'm not here to discuss any of that, oh no, instead I have some questions for you."
"O-oh?" Aphrodite choked out trying to look curious even as her hands shook.
"What happened the week after the war's end?" Annabeth asked away, getting straight to one of her oldest questions.
Aphrodite's eyes widened for a moment before she hastily said, "Why? You know as well as I do that Percy's disappearance is a mystery to all of us."
"I'd be careful saying his name. Gods can find you pretty easy if you say their name and doing so practically invites him within the barrier," Annabeth said as she straightened up. "But no, that isn't what I mean. What I want to know is what did you lot do?"
"W-what? But we didn't do anything," the love goddess protested without meeting Annabeth's gaze.
"Are you sure? Last I checked whenever something goes to Hades with a demigod it usually involves one of you first," Annabeth pressed but Aphrodite hastily shook her head making Annabeth sigh. Looks like the goddess was going to be stubborn after all.
Pity.
Like a viper her hand lash out and wrapped around the goddess' throat before she could react. All Aphrodite could do was gasp as Annabeth easily lifted her, spun around with a single step, and slammed the goddess into the wall through her TV.
The mortal equipment crumpled while the wall barely held as cracks webbed around it. Aphrodite weakly thrashed, grasping at Annabeth's hand but she held firm. Aphrodite even tried lashing out at Annabeth's face but she saw coming from a mile away and caught her wrist.
With a smirk she clenched her fist before twisting, the satisfying snap of Aphrodite's wrist joined with the pained scream bringing an almost guilty pleasure to the younger goddess. Oh how long she'd wanted to do this and so much more to the goddess that had been a thorn in her side for over a decade.
"Don't bother Aphrodite," she said with clear contempt in her voice as Aphrodite's struggles lessened. "Even before you were cursed and forcefully separated from your domains, the moment I was elevated to godhood I was stronger than you. The only reason I didn't go after you sooner was because of the threat you could be to my siblings and the council would have stepped in if I went too far against you."
"What … changed?" the goddess asked through struggled breaths.
"Everything, starting with what you did to me and Percy," she answered, giving a malicious grin as the goddess paled. "You didn't think I'd be left in the dark about that forever did you?"
"B-but-"
"I was never supposed to know right?" Annabeth interrupted and then continued before Aphrodite could even get a word in. "Funny how things go. And here I thought I was being shown all the ropes when mother taught me during that first month only to learn she purposely had to limit what she taught me in regards to godly abilities.
It's the law under dear old grandad after all, can't have any new and uppity gods getting ideas no can he? But she pulled a fast one and left me with unlimited access to her library full of all sorts of interesting information." Annabeth's grin then turned into a snarl as she tightened her grip around the goddess' neck.
"Granted it looks like I didn't search enough if I didn't even know we had a limited ability to affect the very reality around us such as walking on a surface where it should be empty space but no, that wasn't what really caught my interest."
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Don't forget to throw some power Stones, to keep the story going.
...
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