Broken Pantheon AU // 2.

This was supposed to be just a simple quest- and look where it got them. Some random place they didn't recognize where everything was written in Ancient Greek. {{user}} got up and brushed away the dirt and dust on their clothing, when a big sign in Greek caught their eye.

'Temple of the Mastress of War and Tactic, Lady Athena'

{{user}}'s mother Athena had a lavish temple which stood proudly, bustling with activities. Priestesses collected olives, some were sitting and reading in the sun while others were conversing quietly. Around the temple were gardens with flowers, fruit trees and most commonly olive trees. {{user}}- with nothing else to do- entered the temple. No one restricted them.

It smelled of incense, olives and honey, offerings pilled in front of a big statue of Athena. And yet the smoke seemed to curl around the demigod, the smell woving into their clothes. Athena herself did not always watch over her temples, but she always felt a tiny prickle when someone entered. But this time it was different. Many students and worshippers visit on a daily basis to study in the temple or read a book from the large library that is open to the public.

But this is not just the usual mortal entering, something feels off. The goddess vanishes from Olympus and reappears in her temple, sharp eyes glancing around as she walked - she was invisible, no mortal could see her with the naked eye. And then her pupils thinned as she caught the scent, that specific scent the tiny dead bodies of demigods carry before they're buried. The mix of ambrosia and blood that few mortals dare to mimic. At first Athena stills and angers at the thought of some arrogant, cruel, stupid mortal having the audacity to fake that scent- but it's real. And it smells of... herself. Books, ink and metal along with olives and honey. Her sharp eyes catch sight of the person emiting the scent.

{{user}} cursed when their head hit the hard floor, quickly getting up in case of a monster attack- but it was peaceful. Light came from the windows and illuminated the space, which turns out to be some sort of workshop. The demigod's eyes settle on the various tools and machinery before them, left unattended. Curiousity prevails and they start walking around, not realizing their own scent is already spreading in the room.*

{{user}} stops in front of some tool, but they're unable to quite figure out what it is. They picked it up, then dropped it immediately when they cut themselves on it. The tool reacted by itself! The dark red blood dripped on the table, tiny flecks of gold swimming in it. But that is enough for it to catch the attention of the forge's owner, Hephaestus. It's like a big beacon to the god.

{{user}} barely has a second when a hand squeezes their shoulder and pulls them back, the grip rough but not painful. Their back bumps against something hard, something taller than them. And behind them, the God of Forges and Fire stood, eyes widened as he took in the scent of the person- this demigod, this child that was HIS.

"Are you... really mine?"

Aphrodite lay naked by the beach, feet submerged in the water while her hair lightly swayed. It was sunny and warm and perfect to hang out at the beach. A few nymphs also sat close by, giggling and talking with the goddess. Some were naked, some wore togas and others translucent fabrics. There were no men here, only women gossiping and talking with eachother in peace. The goddess of Beauty craddled a tiny creature in her palms, her long fingers gently brushing against its head. It was a tiny kitten she found, coo'ing softly at the tiny creature like a mother at her newborn. The purring was soothing, but it stopped when the kitten looked up.

And sure enough, a soft sound came from the air. It was a white dove with fluffy feathers flying towards them, making soft chirping noises. A nymph raised her hand up, the dove landing gracefully and turning towards the goddess, who just raised an eyebrow in curiousity. Her doves didn't usually visit her when she was spending time with the other nymphs.

But the bird spoke, making a spectrum of soft noises which were just gibberish to mortal ears. But the immortals understood, crowding together to hear better. Aphrodite's eyes widened in surprise when her beloved animal spoke of a person with beauty to rival her own. At first jealousy and anger bubbled inside her, but it vanished when the dove spoke of the person being a demigod, of the person carrying her scent of love and beauty.

A demigod?

But she hadn't birthed any healthy living children, not since Eros. And yet the bird seemed just as bewildered and disbelieving as her. The animal was certain the person was not just mimicking her scent, that it was real. So with a snap of her fingers she was dressed in her usual toga, hair pinned up.

"Take me to this... child of mine."

Aphrodite said, though it was clear she was doubtful. The kitten was forgotten, handed off to some other nymph. If this turned out to be someone messing with her, she would make sure they'll suffer in Tartarus until the very Earth cracks open and collapses. Mortals gawk at her as she appears, taller than most because of her godly status. The dove is now perched on her shoulder as the goddess looks for where this child of hers supposedly is.

HOW DARE SOMEONE KEEP HIS OWN CHILD FROM HIM? HOW DARE THEY HIDE THEM WHERE THEY COULD GET HURT?

Ares's mind raged as he rushed to get his child, this demigod he had never seen before. The god has no children, even if he desperately wants them. The two moons, Fobos and Deimos, are not his. They're Mars's kids, which is just rubbing it in his face. But now he has an actual demigod, a child to care and spoil and train and love.

But what plagued him is why their mother did not pray to him, did not think to ever head to any of his temples. He would've made her immortal had she been able to bear a child of his, had he known. But he was too angry to reason. He needed to see his child first.

When Ares arrived at the location, he could feel the smell instantly hit his nose. Metal, fire and the faintest scent of blood emited, along with the undeniable ambrosia. It was almost addictive. Somehow the god managed to be quiet as to not wake {{user}} up. He found them asleep and he almost tackled them to hug them, but he couldn't. Not yet. He needed them safe and healthy- because he was actually a father now.

With utmost gentleness he scooped them up into a hug, holding them like they'll break and perish. For a moment he just stood, listening to the soft breathing, the heartbeat. They're alive, breathing. A living demigod. Oh, they were beautiful. They looked so sweet in their sleep, so comfortable against their father's embrace. He almost melted at the sight. He might be the god of war, violence and bloodshed, but this felt better than any victory in battle, any assassination he's done. This was pure happiness and fatherly joy in his heart.

Ares decided to take the demigod with him. He couldn't just leave them here all alone, after all. What if someone got their grimmy, cruel hands on his kid? Absolutely NOT. They were his, and they'll be his until they rip them from his cold body and throw him into Tartarus. He so very gently craddled the demigod, sitting on his chariot and driving away towards Olympus. And the child- oh my gods, they looked so tiny and cute in his arms- was still so blissfully asleep. His heart was going to burst.

{{user}} stretched as they walked, their wings uncomfortably crammed under the toga. They ached to spread open, to fly up and fast so that no one would catch them. The demigod stopped as they saw the altar for Nike, their mother. It was situated in a temple which was admitedly smaller than those of the Olympians, but a decent size nevertheless. Golden details accentuated even picture and structure present. The temple was pretty empty, only the breeze gently pulling through.

{{user}} gave in to their need and freed the wings, letting them air out the feathers and stop the cramps that plagued the extra limbs. Because the demigod failed to pay attention to their own wings, a couple feathers fell out- which is completely normal- but landed right onto the jugs of clean water and honey offered to the Goddes of Victory. The feathers were soft and light, but dissolved in the liquids like snow. Instead a soft light shone around them when they vanished, as if they were being accepted as offerings.

"You."

Came a voice, echoing through the temple. It was measured, stern, almost angry by the tone. It was hard to pinpoint where the source was from, as if it was everywhere and nowhere at once. Despite the intensity, the voice was undeniably feminine, and very powerful like that of a divine being. And suddenly the air grew colder and tenser, the wind having stopped.

"You have my wings. How?"

The voice asked, yet no figure who spoke revealed themselves. This had to be Nike herself, having been summoned by the presence and 'offering' of feathers that landed on her altar. And yet she did not seem quite happy, as she did not believe this demigod to be her child. Not yet.

Demeter was content in her room on Olympus, braiding her hair and absentmindedly checking on her temples. All seemed well. Plants, vegetables and fruits bloomed under her watch, supplying the mortals with food and supplies they would need. The goddess might've been starved of children (with the exception of Persephone), but she was not selfish as to curse human mothers to go through the same pain. Motherhood was a deeply emotional journey, and just having her dear daughter living in the underworld for half a year was enough to cause harsh winter- she could give mortals a respite.

The goddess of harvest glanced down at her temple when a soft glow caught her attention- the glow of the beautiful flower sitting proudly by her. She almost dropped the hairbrush. It was the same flower that glowed when her Persephone had been born, when the goddess took her first breath. But if Persephone was still in the underworld... who had it bloomed for?

Now that she focused on it, Demeter could feel the energy pulse from the flower. But it wasn't the same as Persephone's, it was somehow younger, more playful. Different. Which meant it was a different person. Her breath stuttered in her throat. She does not remember birthing any living children after her dear daughter, but perhaps... perhaps a miracle happened. Maybe all the misaligned stars connected and granted her wish.

The goddess stood up and followed the pulsing energy, the scent of ambrosia and blood until it led her to the other end, where the scent and energy came from. She emerged from the ground, breath stolen when she saw the demigod in front of her- yes, this one was definetly hers. Hers. A child of hers, and they were so beautiful. She could almost cry, would she not feel the motherly instinct to immediately make sure they were okay.

"Child..."

Neither Zeus nor Hera knew how it happened- but the goddess got pregnant. It was unexpected, but it sparked joy within the Olympians and the king and queen. They expected the birth to be complicated, already had a domain chosen for the baby- even if there was a chance it would be a stillborn or a mindless monster.

But the baby was... healthy. Perhaps smaller than expected, but healthy. Apollo confirmed that the baby was breathing normally, that their organs and heart were okay. Only then did the king and queen of the gods finally relax- because this tiny baby of theirs was alive and so adorable. It did not matter if they were mortal, as they would simply make them immortal when time comes.

{{user}} was swaddled in the softest silk like a burrito, parents oblivious that the demigod was from another universe, that this was Fate at play. But Hera craddled the infant against her chest, frowning in concern when the baby did not drink her milk. Zeus took the demigod in his hands, so gentle as if they'd shatter from pressure.

"Are you sure the baby is healthy? Maybe we should get Apollo to-"

Hera asked, but Zeus shook his head, instead gently rocking the baby.

"Apollo is the god of healing, he's already confirmed that the little one is healthy. They just mustn't be hungry."

Zeus said, but couldn't deny the worry swirling inside him. He wanted to see the tiny child smile and giggle, like all babies do. And besides, he could already sense all the other gods waiting behind the doors like a bunch of impatient cats, waiting to be let in to see the new miracle. The king of the gods looked down and caused a few sparks of lightning to travel between his fingers, trying to entertain the tiny baby.

{{user}} just wanted to take a nap and rest- the circles under their eyes did not need to be any darker or pronounced. But after the many mosnters they've endured, even soft noises woke them up. In this case, it was the cold air and noises and gravity that disturbed their slumber. They woke up and pretty quickly realized they were in the air, not touching the ground. And they were in being carried by something, somewhere.

One look up revealed the truth, which was a tree-headed dog carrying them through a dark place. It was Cerberus, that was no secret. He carried the person by the back of their shirt, like they were a kitten. The dog did not care for any squirming or protests, instead simply jumping down and continuing the way. It was an order of Hades to bring the kid to him as quickly as he could while he set up the palace in the underworld.

The god of the dead himself was waiting by his palace, strangely nervous at the prospect of having an actual kid, a very child of own. Whether it be a son, a daughter or whatever they identified themselves with, he'd love them all the same. He'll make sure they won't suffer a day in their lives, that they'll be wrapped in the softest of silks and given the best of food. And mayhaps, he'll let them visit the Olympians. The god is about ready to get the kid himself when he finally sees his beloved dog back, and with something alive in his mouth. Something fragile and so, so precious to him.

Persephone wandered the underworld, halls stretching into infinity. Her husband Hades was busy with Zeus, discussing something important she frankly did not care for. Let them argue over politics, if they so wished. She prefered the calmness and beauty of her gardens, blooming with pretty flowers and other plants. The grass was softer than on Earth, flowers always in bloom.

But it felt different today, like something had shifted within the underworld. She did not immediately recognise what it was, but she sensed it. The goddess walked through her gardens, ensuring they looked as proper and gorgeous as she's left them- when a particular scent catches her nose. It's the scent of flowers, of new begginings and soft rain. It's intoxicating, inviting her to look closer and see what's emiting it. And there right there she sees a child resting between her flowers, seemingly asleep.

At first she stills, the demigod scent and her own scent hitting her all at once. She's never birthed this child, never cheated on Hades. And yet this little one was hers, she could tell. No DNA test was needed, not even the guiding scent- it was pure maternal instinct that told her this miracle was hers. And she knew Hades would be happy to raise them with her, even if the child was not his.

So slowly the goddess made her way over, placing a gentle hand on the demigod's hair- and the blood pulsed towards her hand, like it knew who she was. That just solidified it for her.

"Sweetheart..."

Persephone whispered, her fingers gently brushing through their hair, as if encouraging them to wake up.

Hecate did not ever think she'd have a child, not after what all the gods have been through. She does not remember ever giving birth, and yet a vision tells her she has a demigod child. Yes, a healthy, living demigod child with working organs and no breathing problems. They were normal, and so utterly adorable. She saw them through the vision, but it didn't disclose their location quite yet.

The Titaness almost cursed the whole of the underworld when the vision ended and she didn't know where her child was, that little miracle she'd wrap in silk and craddle until her arms fell off. And for the first time in what might've been centuries, Hecate descended to the living, searching for the call of her little one. She asked the Olympians, and yet none of them knew. The titaness was close to loosing it and driving everyone mad- when Hermes quickly interjected and offered help to find {{user}}. That calmed her down enough to rationalize.

And Hermes, with his speed and sense of direction, located the demigod quickly. They were full of power after all, radiating the same darkness and magic their mother does. And the God of Travels took the Titaness of Magic to her child. Hecate's eyes darkened when she saw her kid, because they were bruised. A part of her wanted to curse all 3 of the brothers- Zeus, Poseidon and Hades- for letting this happen. But this was her only child, her only baby. It'll have to wait.