Chapter Text
Hi, I'm posting my new work for the first time on Ao3. I am an avid lover of PJO series. And I have tried to add certain self -modification. Please be gentle in your comments. I am not against any character or ship, however I am trying to share with you my version of this great work. Cross posted of Wattpad.
So, without any further ado.
Let's begin.
Olympian Gods are known for many things, their rage, their tempers, their blessings and bloody fights and their petty feuds. But one should remember that above all they are a family, though whimsical at times, and as such they have their gatherings, the Solstices.
As every other family gatherings, these gatherings are also full of gossipy people, food and music, however, no Olympian meeting is without glaring elder gods, arguing goddesses and betting young gods and subtle threats alongside veiled insults.
It was one such meeting, but this time was a bit special. Some favored heroes were invited to watch the proceedings -
Perseus, Heracles, Theasus, Orion, Bellerophone, Oddessyus etc. Thetis was invited alongside her mortal husband King Peleus and her demigod child Achilles, who was just 6 years old right now and already the bearer of blessing of Styx. Jason was invited, along with argonauts, however only Patroclus of Opus, about 7 and a son of Menoetius, was able to attend with him as others were far too wary of Gods.
It was an attempt of Hestia to bring her family closer. She had wished that the appearance of their mortal children might keep the Gods in check. However, she lacked such luck, probably because Tyche was again arguing with Nemesis to pay any attention to the wish of the usually forgotten goddess.
Aphrodite was busy chatting with Hecate, the former asking the latter for her aid to diffuse the rising tensions between Ares and Hephaestus. Hecate could be very persuasive, specially with her charms and spells and Aphrodite feared that the rising conflicts between brothers may lead her to be forced to choose one. Oh! Don't get Aphrodite wrong, she loves her little games and enjoys her indulgence but making her to choose one is rather hard. Afterall, one can't force love to choose a side.
Her son Eros was also in attendance alongside her daughter Harmonia. Both kept stealing glances at the assorted heroes for personal reasons, Eros a bit worried while Harmonia joyful, making the heroes worried. Phobos and Demos were also present, both kept smirking to themselves while making the onlookers nervous.
Triton, the heir of Poseidon, was also present alongside his daughters Pallas and Triteia. Along with him were other children of sea - Kympoleia, Rhodes, Herophile, Benthesikyme, Ourea. And on his father's persuading, he also brought Khryasor with him. Specially because, Bellerophone brought Pegasus with him. And Poseidon wanted his children to get together.
Then there were other minor gods and goddesses along with Pan and his entourage of Satyrs and Nymphs. Inspite of stress between Elder Gods, the environment was joyous and pleasant.
However, it was soon going to be changed. There was something ominous in the air, the elders gods could feel the thrumming tension, the restless energy lurking around every one. All felt being at an edge.
And it began with the banging of the doors, with the force of storm, the silent shiver of Mount Olympus, the sudden darkening of skies and the bellowing wind. And with a strike of thunder, appeared the three ladies of doom. The daughters of Ananke, the weavers of life and death, the Moirai - Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos.
Their appearance brought everything at a standstill. Apprehensions rose and nerves alit with fears. The arrival of fates rarely signaled something good. They were the bringer of Chaos, of wars and battles. Their presence made others wary, but the most worried were the heroes and their sires.
Ultimately, forced by the nervous looks of Gods, Zeus , the king of Gods, asked the fates -
" While it is an honor to be your host Moirai, and we do hope that you grace us with breaking bread with us, what has brought upon Olympians this sudden visit of Fates? "
The three fates turned as one to him, their withered faces making him more wary, and as one they answered -
"Olympians and assorted heroes, be at ease. Our arrival is not to announce a war, but to seek counsel. Rarely, as it happens, an appearance worries us as it causes the overlapping of different threads connected to different pantheon. In such cases, we generally get our counterparts involved to solve the mess, because most of these heroes remain subtle in their lifespans. And the overlaps is easily ignored as it never causes much trouble, however, some heroes became greater than others. Unnoticed their ancestors might be, they manage to get the threads tangled and it results in much complications. Sometimes, as it happens, such threads are handled by Ananke, and as such we are relieved of our worries. But this time, she , instead of finishing the lifespan in a proper manner, managed to hide the complications from our sight. And this resulted it much more trouble. "
Although the opening statement of Fates put their audience at ease, the later rant made them even more wary.
Different pantheons?
Ananke?
Hiding life-thread from fates?
Each statement brought them more worry.
However, one question remained at the forefront of everyone's mind -
" Who is this person? Why fates speak of them with such worry and yet fondness?"
Fondness, yes. Though fates attempted to seem indifferent, the gods could pick upon the slight hint of care in their words. The question seemed more important because the thought that this person might have some influence upon fates, made the elder Gods wary.
Zeus felt even more suspicious, as his position as King of Gods made him paranoid and wary, and so, he asked the still ranting Moirai;
"Pardon my curiosity my ladies! But who is this person you speak of? Of which lineage and region? What have they done to gain your esteem? Your worries seem more personal that professional, if you pardon my rudeness. "
The words of Zeus brought the tant of Moirai to an end and once again he became a target of three beady eyed glares. This raised his tense hackles, however, the fates merely sighed and shared a look.
Again, they began their words -
"Calm your worries King Zeus! The person, we speak of, hasn't been born yet. And neither would he be in near future. His story begins after about 3000 years in future. However, we assure you that his deeds are numerous and amazing enough to make him worthy of our notice, despite his lineage."
This time it was Athena who raised the question-
"But if the person in question hasn't been born yet, what has bothered you so?"
"What worries us Wise Athena is the the fact that this person has brought various changes. Many grand deed has been committed by him that led to the betterment of the world as we know it. But now this person....
Well, let us just say that they have suffered a lot. And now they seek release from the bonds that tie them. If the circumstances remained normal, a normal suicide might have sufficed. But they held a very precarious position and thus we worry what might happen if they took matters in their hands. While we do trust their sense of judgment and their selfless nature, we cannot possibly condone what has happened to them. Thus, we seek counsel to provide aid to this precious hero."
"But what has happened that brought such worthy soul to this point?" This question came from the kind Hestia. The fact that someone, so favored by fates, found themselves to the edge of suicide didn't sit well with her. Her gentle nature and worried tone won her a smile from the Moirai.
They answered, - " You would have liked them Hestia, they did brought your family closer and made it a bit peaceful. However, what they got in return of such favor..
Well perhaps we should allow you a glimpse."
With a wave of hand the fountain near the garden turned into a lake. The Fates beckoned the Gods and their guests to take a look.
The surface of lake shivered before turning into a shimmering glassy surface. And with baited breath everyone watched the unfolding scene.
The shimmering lake showed them the bowing figure of a young man. Though his face couldn't be seen, his overall bearing made it hard for them to think of him as anything more than a child. Probably 17 or 18.
His shoulders shook with his silent sobs, his fingers clenched and unclenched, his raven hair covering his face, the skin of his neck that could be seen seemed pale. He remained still, the shaking shoulders remained the only movement that could be seen. The Fates stood before him, hesitating and apprehensive, as the boy remained bowing.
Finally, Clotho, the spinner of life, began -
" Your cries disgrace your deeds, O Hero! Don't cry anymore. We have told you, we don't control your fate now. Ananke took your thread and none can deny her. You must not lose hope."
"I don't blame you," came the shaky answer. The boy remained bowed, his voice heavy with grief and mourning, and yet it touched the onlookers with its shaking timbre. His voice showed his weary resilience but it also showed his pain. It made Hestia ache. A voice of a lost hero. Nothing could be more damaging to the maiden of hearth and home.
"Then why you cry so? " questioned Lachesis. "We have seen you fight hopeless battles and appear victorious. Your name makes your enemies weary and your allies safe. O Hero! Your tears mocks your achievements. Be strong! Prove them wrong once again! Rise and fight! Heroes like you are not allowed to give up!"
"My deeds ! Let past remain in past Fates. I grew weary and tired. My enemies now mock me and my allies shun me! None are willing to listen. And I tire of such madness. Tell me O Fates! How can I get my release? Have I not done enough? Have you got another war for me to fight? Have another enemy managed to rise? Tell me, the weavers of life and announcers of death! Tell me where should I go to cleanse the taint my birth has brought upon my lineage? "
"Stop such theatrics!" Snapped Atropos. " You shame yourself with such words! The hero I knew was able to win lost battle, never did he lost his zeal to succeed inspite of all traps laid by enemies. You are the greatest hero we have seen. Cease such wallowing. This shouldn't become you!"
Such words brought a chuckle out of the kneeling figure, " My apologies, my Ladies! However, my decision remains unchanged. Kindly grant my wish to die. Allow me the mercy of forgetfulness."
Though the answer began with a humorous tone, the boy remained insistent that the fates grant him the wish of death.
"Have you ever considered my hero, what would happen if we try to appeal to Ananke? In best scenario, she might give us your thread. While in bad case, she might erase you complete existence. It would be like never being born." Clotho said.
"And that would be the greatest favor she could have ever done to me! "The figure exclaimed.
"Do you really think so? Think of the changes you brought, the people you saved, the entire world owe you a lot for the various favors you have done. Do you really wish to be so selfish? " Queried Lachesis.
"My entire existence has been nothing but cursed. Born of broken oaths, I brought nothing but misery and pain to those who cherished me. My mother bore scare from abuses to shield me from those who wished me harm. My sire called me a mistake and told me how he wished I was not born. My past allies tell me that I snatched the life of others to prolong my own. Tell me, what is one more act of selfishness? Let me prove them right. Besides, I am sure that they never needed me. In my absence, they will achieve grander goals. I was always a burden. Now, I wish to relieve them of their pain."
"These are not thy thoughts, child! Don't let others decide your worth! Their ill acts, fears, jealousy and misconceptions blind them to your importance. Be confident! This phase will pass." Consoled Atropos.
"The only thought that stops me from driving my blade in my chest is the fear that I might taint it with my blood. I tire of such consoling words. Let me be free Fates, I beg you!" Came the choked reply.
With this the scene dissolved, leaving everyone to their thoughts. But the one thought that remained in their minds was the curiosity to know what happened to this hero.
The fates allowed the others a moment to collect themselves. Hestia had tears while the Elder Gods remained solemn. The minor gods felt worried while the heroes felt sympathy. To lose all hope hardly seems fitting for a hero. Yet the heroes knew how many times they had the same thoughts running through their minds.
"We tried to convince the hero," Clotho began.
"However, he remained insistent in seeking death." Lachesis continued.
"And so, we require aid," finished Atropos.
"But, we know nothing about this hero" Athena implored.
"That's why we will allow you all a chance to meet this hero and hear his tale. We believe that you might be able to make him see sense. What makes us worry is the way the boy think of his own existence. He did possessed a desire for death, some nihilistic thoughts, during his younger years, however now they have gotten far deeper and worse. We request your aid to make him realize his own worth. " the Fates intoned.
"Not that we do not wish to aid, however, why didn't you sought this aid from the future versions of us. I don't think we would have denied you and him this aid. " Poseidon observed.
"Because you all, directly or indirectly, are a part of the tribulations he had faced. Even the fact that we have sought your aid remains unknown to him. We believe that you might be able to aid him and convince him without being biased or paranoid. And there is also the fact that we believe that he might be able to tell you how to be better rulers. So, all present, be ready to meet our hero -
Perseus Achilles Jackson.