Across The Ages (On Hold)

XII

"Lets go."

Everyone looked at Perseus, two of them stunned at the display of power, and the other worried for him. "Listen to him. Now is not the time to argue. He's going to travel us to the actual place we've been headed for this whole time," Phoebe translated.

"Wait, you knew where we were supposed to go this whole time? Why didn't we just do that in the first place?!" Thalia exclaimed.

"If you think you can avoid a prophecy and get away with it, kid, think again," was the only reply that came from Perseus.

"He's already tried to fight against a prophecy. It's why Zoë chose to lose her memory and his children were placed in a stasis. He took the blame for all of them and the punishment was severe. The Fates don't take well to having their weaving tampered with."

A glance at Perseus told them they should get moving and they all grabbed onto his out stretched hand.

They experienced a weird tingling sensation and a feeling of weightlessness, and then they were on top of a foggy mountain, with the smell of eucalyptus all around. "Where are we?" Thalia asked.

"The Garden of the Hesperides, daughters of Atlas, and sister's to Zoe. This is where we were headed the whole time, because Atlas is imprisoned further up the mountain...or was imprisoned."

Thalia looked at Phoebe, "Zoë is the daughter of Atlas? And you didn't think this was an issue?!"

Perseus whirled on the daughter of Zeus, "And your father is the son of Kronos, just like mine. The parents don't make or break the children. Zoë lived with me for nigh on fifty years before she joined the Hunt, and then served Artemis faithfully the whole time. Is that enough for you?"

Thalia took a step back, stunned at the rage Perseus directed at her. "But Atlas..."

"Atlas is but a peon to me. The Hesperides might be a bunch of stuck up little shits, but they have never acted against the gods, and Zoë would never go against me. I will vouch for her and my children when the time comes, as I have always protected the gods."

"But..."

"Quiet child! Do not question him. That knowledge was not for your ears. The fact you now know of it, means that you have pushed him too far," Phoebe hissed.

Thalia realized that this was a battle she would not win. It was clear that Phoebe was serious and Perseus wouldn't hesitate to take out anyone that got in his way.

Nico was still staring at Perseus. "You're my–"

"Nicolas...we will discuss this after we have your mother and sister back. But to answer your question, yes. Don't say it out loud yet. You never know who is listening. Now enough talking everyone, we go to Othrys now."

Everyone nodded, some slower than others, and grabbed ahold of some part of the legendary warrior. Soon, they stood inside a thick mist, both normal and mythical. Stepping forward it started to clear, leaving a beautiful garden who's centerpiece was a giant tree where golden apples hung. At the base was a dragon, one none of them wished to fight.

Perseus growled and snatched back the hand he had dropped upon arrival, did a quick check to ensure everyone was still in contact, and they disappeared again. They reappeared in front of a ruined fortress.

"This should not be here," Phoebe muttered.

"What, it's just a run down temple right?" Thalia asked.

"No. This really shouldn't be here. The gods destroyed it after the Titan War. This is Mt. Othrys, the Titan stronghold.

Nico stares in wonder at the large, dark stones building that looked like it was being rebuilt.