Sea Green Eyes

Chapter 95

The gods fanned out in a semicircle as Zeus approached. None of them seemed particularly joyful about their victory.

Apollo and Artemis stood together in the shadow of a column as if trying to hide. Hera and Poseidon were having an intense discussion with another goddess in green and gold robes – perhaps Demeter. Nike tried to put a golden laurel wreath on Hecate's head, but the goddess of magic swatted it away. Hermes sneaked close to Athena, attempting to put his arm around her. Athena turned her aegis shield his way and Hermes scuffled off.

Percy was standing with his arm around Cressida's waist as she talked with her father, her father who didn't seem to have a problem with the contact which was surprising to everyone.

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

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

Zeus knitted his cloud-coloured eyebrows. "They succeeded in their mission. As of this moment, they are alive. Whether or not they are okay –"

"There is still work to be done," Queen Hera interrupted. She spread her arms like she wanted a group hug. "But my heroes ... you have triumphed over the giants as I knew you would. My plan succeeded beautifully."

Zeus turned on his wife. Thunder shook the Acropolis. "Hera, do not dare take credit! You have caused at least as many problems as you've fixed!"

The queen of heaven blanched. "Husband, surely you see now – 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?"

By the ruins of the giant king's throne, the three old ladies silently bowed their heads in recognition. And it was worth it to note that the other gods stayed well away from the Fates and their gleaming brass clubs.

As for Cressida, she made it two steps before Percy caught her, planting his feet as his arms wrapped around her waist as he braced himself and lifted her off the ground as she fought his grip.

"Let me go! I just want to thank Hera for her beautiful plan. Percy! LEMME GO!"

"Cress, as much as I would love to thank her as well, we still have a battle to fight."

"Yeah, we do against the queen of heaven! Percy, she sent us to Tartarus! Tartarus! Bob and Damasen was HER FAULT!"

"Crazy Girl, I know! I KNOW! But we have to get home first," he strained. Annabeth took a step forward, about to jump in to help him because she was the only one who knew that after hearing about Cressida's aversion to being tied down, Percy would only ever hold her back by her waist so she never felt like that again, but Athena put a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "If you fight Hera now, you leave Pollux to fight Gaia by himself."

Her fighting ceased after that and even Dionysus seemed impressed that he was able to do that.

"You good?" he asked apprehensively, and she crossed her arms over her chest, still held off the ground.

"No, but you can put me down," she huffed as he carefully set her down but kept a firm arm around her as she death glared Hera who was still facing Zeus.

"Please, husband." Hera tried for a smile, but she was so clearly frightened, yet, no one seemed sorry for her.

Her fear now was nothing compared to what the two of them felt in Tartarus.

"I only did what I -"

"Silence!" Zeus snapped. "You disobeyed my orders. Nevertheless ... I recognize that you acted with honest intentions. The valour of these eight heroes has proven that you were not entirely without wisdom."