Arthur:
"This will be a disaster of unmitigated proportions should this play out." Poseidon grumbled amongst the abruptly assembled gods, "We must speak to Odin about this immediately."
I was leaning on my mother's throne as the gods discussed the Norse situation, having kept almost entirely quiet except for the start where Annabeth and I had explained what was going on. After that, we kept silent as they spoke.
It wasn't a full-blown meeting currently. Only the three brothers, Athena, Ares, and my mother were present.
It was what I assumed the war council looked like when things really heated up. The three most powerful, the two divine beings responsible for warfare, and its best tracker and recon goddess.
"A bold move brother, but one that may come with consequences. Odin is not one to take accusations lightly. Even if it is Loki." Hades advised, "The paranoid old bastard may think we are trying to trick him into concessions. It could lead to war. "
There were nods of agreement all around. Well except for Ares. That warmongering meat head was practically foaming at the mouth at the mention of violence.
I'm sure just the thought of being able to fight Thor had him at full mast.
"While not often, I must agree with Poseidon." Athena spoke, "While we do run the risk of angering Odin by making such an accusation of his Pantheon, time is of the essence. The more monsters, gods, and mortals Kronos draw to his side the more powerful he will become. He's already been operating in almost total silence over the past two years. We can't allow him any more time to gather power."
"You make an excellent point daughter." Zeus commended as he stroked his lightly grayed beard, "The clock is running out. Both in terms of my father's growing power, but also because of young Perseus's birthday. We have already gotten lucky with Thalia's 16th birthday not being the day the prophecy came to be, I don't think we'll be so lucky this time."
I had been right in thinking that the prophecy had always been about Percy. When Thalia had turned 16 a while ago and nothing had happened both a sigh of relief and a feeling of vindication had gone through me. My future knowledge was mostly trashed, but some of it was still worth its weight in gold.
"As such, I will be requesting a meeting with Odin on neutral ground." My grandfather decided, "We will have a full council meeting about this beforehand with the rest of our family and the more powerful minor gods, but for now this meeting is adjourned. My daughters, please stay behind with your children, I wish to speak to you more privately. Brothers and my son, prepare your realms and your families. For while we shall speak peace, this may lead to a conflict the likes of which has never been seen before."
With a flash, Poseidon, Hades, and Ares left the throne room.
Zeus wasted no time getting down to business.
"Athena, you will be one of the two who accompany me to the meeting with Odin. Your wisdom and knowledge of foreign affairs will be of great use once we arrive." He commanded before he looked to the side at Annabeth, "Granddaughter, the intelligence you have gathered has been invaluable. I ask that you continue as you have been and see what else you can scrounge up. The more evidence we have of Kronos's dealings with the Norse the more leverage we will have."
"Yes, father." Athena replied.
She must've understood that was all that was needed of her and Annabeth because the next moment they were gone as well. Which left Zeus, Artemis, and I alone together.
I was honestly kind of stunned. Zeus in the books generally acted like a drama queen and child rolled into one. One who refused to acknowledge Kronos rising and would rather start a civil war than apologize for his mistakes.
But this version of my grandfather seemed… mature and kingly?
"And what of us father?" Artemis asked in curiosity, "Do you perhaps want Arthur and I to work together to hunt down the stronger monsters Kronos has recruited?"
I felt touched by the level of excitement and hope in my mother's voice. She seemed incredibly eager to find an excuse to spend even more time with me. Which had been few and far between since we had finished that training trip years ago.
"Not quite daughter. I'll need Arthur for something else." Zeus informed Artemis as his eyes shifted to me, "Tell me, my boy, I take it you're firmly aware of what makes Demigods special in our world given your extracurricular activities abroad?"
Oh, he knew about me taking the sword from the Shinto?
"Extracurricular activities?" Artemis frowned as she shot me a mild glare, "Arthur Winchester have you been wooing and sleeping with foreign supernatural women already? You're barely 15, I'd hope you would have at least waited until you were older before you started following in your father's and grandfather's footsteps."
I let out a groan, "Oh for the love of Chaos! He means when I took my new sword from the Shinto mom. I have no interest in wasting my time going around and being a man whore like the both of them."
Was Richard really so prolific in his activities that it was just expected I'd end up like him?
"I'm right here you know." Zeus muttered at my comment, "I swear the youth today have respect for their elder gods."
Artemis snorted, "7/12 of the Olympians on this council are your children. 5 out of 7 of us aren't from Hera."
Zeus chose to seemingly ignore her and pushed on with our conversation, "You are correct that it relates to the sword. You can travel wherever and challenge whoever you want with relatively no repercussions. This is an ability all who have a mortal soul possess. And this is why you will be the 3rd person I pick to attend this meeting with Athena and I."
Holy shit. That was a hell of an honor.
Also a dangerous one. I'm going to be keeping The Colt as a quick equip the whole time I'm there whenever this meeting eventually takes place. Worse comes to worst and I use my two bullets, I have at least another year before Percy will have to fight Kronos. Plenty of time to continue my effort in trying to make new Colt Bullets.
Results so far have been pretty slow.
My mother bristled at the declaration, "Father surely you can't be serious? I want my son nowhere near a meeting full of gods and goddesses who may have ill intentions towards our pantheon."
"He is the best candidate to do so." Zeus reaffirmed, "The Norse will bring a mortal champion of their own, and should things turn violent I will need Arthur to deal with them. He is not only our most powerful Demigod but he can not be cursed or altered by divine will. No one else has such survivability."
Ah, so I would be the Greek champion should things get ugly.
"If you don't mind me asking, who would the Norse likely bring as their own champion?" I questioned, "It'll give me an idea on how to prepare for them."
"Potentially one of their demigods, but more than likely it will be one of their Valkyries." Zeus informed.
From beside me I could hear Artemis groan in dismay,
"Of course, you're actually okay with this." She muttered, "Fine, but you're not doing this for free. Father, Arthur will be properly rewarded for this by you."
The King of Olympus sighed, "Is serving Olympus and preventing the largest war in history not reward enough?"
Artemis shot my grandpa a withering look, "No."
"Fine. He will be rewarded after the meeting."
!
Quest issued!
1 month later
"I look like a freakin Peaky Blinder." I muttered while fidgeting with my collar, "And at least Thomas always had a hot British woman hanging off him. Why'd we have to wear fancy clothes again?"
"I fail to see how a nice black suit and gray vest makes you look like a defunct British street gang." Athena said dully as we waited outside of my grandfather's temple, "And I've already explained to you that while fighting is a potential option, this is a peace talk first and foremost. As such it is expected of us to look professional. Trust me, nephew, I'd much rather be in my armor as well rather than a dress."
Oh yeah, that show was still about a half-decade from coming out.
"It's just an inside joke." I waved off, "You really think this could turn into a fight?"
"There is more than a slim chance, yes." Athena nodded, "It could go any number of ways, but there are two scenarios that are more likely than the others. First: This would be an excellent time for our enemies to strike. If it is Loki who has been working with Kronos and against Odin, then this would be a prime opportunity. The two kings of their respective pantheons and their strongest mortal warriors all in one place? A juicy target."
I mulled over her theory, "Smart if not a bit cliche. The second scenario?"
Athena shrugged, "The entire Norse pantheon is in on it and we are walking into a trap."
"And what do we do if it is?" I asked.
Athena gave me a small smile, "We spring the trap. Our pantheon is astronomically stronger than the Norse. Odin, while powerful and knowledgeable in the arts of many magical practices, could barely crack the top 50 most powerful beings in this world back in his prime. Father on the other hand even today sits comfortably in the top 10."
I let out a small whistle. I knew the Greeks here were more powerful than most because this was a Greek-centric universe and that Olympus was directly tied to the power of Western Civilization itself, but Zeus was in the top 10?"
That put my grandfather (and probably both great uncles) in the league of Great Red, Ophis, God of the Bible, and the Super Devils.
Holy shit.
"Speaking of gramps, does he normally take this long?"
"Honestly?" Athena responded, "Probably either arguing with Hera or having coitus with one of his maids. The latter of which would then cause the former."
I clicked my tongue, "I didn't need the image in my head."
The goddess of wisdom rolled her eyes, "Oh please, your eyes were stuck to my daughter's rear end for over half of that meeting last month. A bit hypocritical to pretend to be disgusted by sex no?"
Damn, and here I thought my sunglasses hid where my eyes were looking.
"Well not inaccurate, but there's a difference between me thinking about your hot daughter and then imagining my grandpa doing what he does best." I shrugged, "And you're not mad about that?"
"Oh, believe me, I'm not thrilled about it." Athena said dryly, "The more powerful a Demigod is the more danger they attract. I don't believe I need to explain how you and Posideon's brat are exceptional even in that field. Especially considering your other lineage."
"Hmm, fair." I muttered, "And you know about Richard?"
"The son of Lucifer, who doesn't?" Athena snorted.
"Wait, you know about him being Lucifer's kid?" I thought that was supposed to be a secret?
"Oh yes, but to be fair I only know that because I've met your grandmother before. Which, by the way, she is a delightful cook. I've never had fluffier pancakes in my entire life." Athena sighed fondly," When Divine beings meet we see more than just the physical manifestations of each other. We can see each other's literal divine essence as well. And while I never met your father, I can see part of Lucifer's divine soul makes up part of your mortal one. Not really hard to extrapolate Richard's origins based on that."
Huh, I guess that was good to know.
"As such, you will have double the trouble coming after you most likely. But I suppose in consolation I'll get beautiful grandchildren. Your and Annabeth's individual phenotypes will mix wonderfully."
Great, now she sounded like my mother. Just more sciency.
The smell of ozone invaded my nose and suddenly Zeus stood before the both of us.
"Daughter, grandson, are you ready?"
"All preparations have been completed. We are ready to be off father." Athena replied.
"Then let us be off."
Ozone flooded my nose once again and we were gone in a flash of light.
We arrived in the meeting room in a flash of lightning. It was quite lavishly decorated and a large mahogany table stood in the middle.
"Uh, Athena."
"Yes, Arthur?"
"Why is there a freakin Archangel in the room with us?"
"Probably because we're in the Vatican."
I shot the Goddess of Wisdom a look, "I'm the grandson of the Devil and you all decided to bring me to the Vatican!"
"Oh dear, you're more than welcome here!" The Archangel in the room said cheerily, "I'd smite this entire nation before I'd let them lay a hand on my adorable little stepson!"
I sighed, "Hello Gabriel."
Gabriel, Lvl 500
Title: Messenger of God
Holy crap I could finally see a Divine being's level. She was no mono or polytheistic god, but this was progress!
"Please don't smite Italy." I sighed, "They might be a bunch of plagiarizing bastards, but they do have good food."
"Hmm, I suppose you are right. The pasta here is quite divine." She agreed, "But enough about that, look how much you've grown! You're almost taller than your father was and your power is easily Ultimate Class!"
"Ultimate Class?" Zeus asked in confusion.
"It's their power class system. I think the equivalent to us would be not quite a minor god?" I half answered half guessed.
"Hn." My grandfather grunted in acknowledgment before turning to the Archangel, "Greetings Lady Gabriel, please pass our thanks to your brother and father for allowing these peace talks to occur within your territories."
I blinked in surprise at Zeus's dismissal at me being close in power to a minor god. I'd been a little worried that he'd be wary of how much power I'd accumulated in such a short amount of time. But then again Percy beat a god at 12 and compared to how powerful Zeus was with him apparently being in the Top 10, in his eyes a Demigod and Minor god were probably the same to him in terms of power.
In other words: utterly beneath him.
"Father and Michael were happy to accommodate." The blonde Angel answered with a smile.
Father? Wasn't Yahweh gone? Huh, I thought Zeus would've at least been aware.
Another flash of light appeared from over on the other end of the room and three more beings joined us.
I let out a bored sigh as I watched two ancient and powerful beings argue back and forth.
"The Vikings made it to America's first. So why is it that you and your ilk get dominion over it?" The All-Father himself pouted as he held a finger in accusation at Zeus, "That's not fair at all!"
"Because in the end, it was the Western powers of Europe that settled and conquered it." My grandfather said smugly, "What is it that the kids say these days? You snooze, you lose?"
The issue of Kronos getting help from the Norse had been resolved pretty quickly. Namely being that Odin straight up threw Loki under the bus and declared him free game. I had forgotten in most Norse myths that there was no real family relationship between the two. In fact, more often than not Loki was just someone that was a pain in the ass for the Norse king. Here I think he was just Odin's brother and a dick in general.
After that, it dissolved into an ego-fest between the two kings.
Looking across the table at the other two members of the Norse delegation, I saw the same looks of exasperation on their faces.
"Some things never change." Freya muttered as she took another sip of what my nose said was mead.
"I concur." Athena agreed, "But at least this time they aren't coming to blows about it."
Leaning back into my chair I let my mind wander to what I wanted to request from Zeus. Honestly, I still couldn't believe Artemis had her father wrapped around her finger so hard that she could straight up demand that I be rewarded for a quest. Hell, I truly was planning on accepting for free. The system rewards with just XP and items were already payment enough.
Gaining more of Zeus's favor and having him bring me to important meetings was just the cherry on top. It would do wonders for my reputation throughout the rest of the supernatural world if it was known that I was Zeus's favorite grandson. Especially now that I knew that he was in the Top 10.
Artemis getting that reward tacked on was a straight-up blessing.
'Best mom in the world.' I chuckled silently.
I'd already given it some previous thought and concluded that it wouldn't be a weapon. I already had a god-level sword that amplified my powers and my guns were constantly being upgraded by myself which in turn helped level my skills. Plus The Colt despite being limited to two rounds right now was the most powerful gun in existence.
If I ever was able to find out how to make the bullets and maybe other versions I wouldn't need a gun made by a god. Though it would take a while, most of the ingredients Colt listed for the bullets either didn't seem to exist or were extremely rare. To say nothing of the massacre that needed to happen at the same time as Halley's comet crossed over above.
Sure I could ask the gods for help. But I'd really rather not have anyone other than Percy knowing that I have a weapon that could kill a god in a single bullet. I'd have the entire world either hunting me down to get The Colt or to kill me if they knew that I knew how to potentially make more.
Which was why I was thinking about asking for another legacy.
It was a little extreme to ask for another one, but there wasn't a point in not at least asking. I already knew several gods would refuse even if Zeus requested them, so I had to pick carefully. I already had a couple of gods in mind, but one thing was for damn sure.
I was going to be able to finally use that fireball spell book I got years ago damn it!
"You say that Lady Athena, yet I would prefer if it had already." A woman with dark red hair voiced her irritation beside Freya, "At least then it would be entertaining. I'd get to watch four powerful gods do battle up close after I dealt with the Huntresses' welp."
Oh, this bitch.
Kara, Lvl 210
Title: Valkyrie of the Storm
"Careful there Kara, those wings of yours would make a great mantle piece for my fireplace." I shot back.
Well, they would once I got a house with one.
She narrowed her eyes at me, "I don't remember allowing you to use my name human."
"That's because I didn't ask permission you dumb cunt." I snarled back, not liking the mocking tone she used when saying human, "And while I may be just a quarter, this human will turn you into a smear on the ground if you really wanna go."
I don't know what crawled up her ass. Maybe she didn't like Greeks, humans, or Artemis. But if she wanted to be an asshole then I wasn't going to take it lying down just because we were in a meeting.
My inner pride wouldn't stand for it.
I frowned. Now that I think about it, maybe having both Zeus and Lucifer's blood in me wasn't a completely positive thing. They were both known to be extremely prideful and arrogant in their respective mythologies. Both had mellowed with age apparently, but that had taken millennia.
Huh. That might explain why sometimes I was irrationally prideful and arrogant.
I felt her power rise and I did the same in response.
'Status.'
Arthur Winchester, Lvl: 198
Title:
[HP] - 19000/19000
[MP] - 11500/11500
[STR] - 205 (15%) = 235
[VIT] - 190 [PER] - 201 (40%) = 281
[DEX] - 196
[INT] - 230
[WIS] - 198
[LUK] - 89
Points - 650
Oh, I was definitely kicking her ass. I had a shit load of points to dump if need be. The past year and a half of nonstop training with Percy and taking Nico around to fight strong monsters had increased my power dramatically.
"The four of you stop that right now!" Gabriel commanded as her holy aura was suddenly brought down upon us. Kara and I flinched at the heaviness that suddenly permitted that air. Freya, Odin, and Athena suddenly looked uneasy at the Archangel's might.
Zeus on the other hand barely raised an eyebrow in response.
Damn, my stepmom had some power behind her. Huh beautiful and powerful, no wonder Richard liked her.
Speaking of that power, it made me wonder how much stronger Micheal was than her. If my memory of the Biblical celestial pecking order was right. Lucifer and Satan were far stronger than Gabriel and Raphael, but in the book I had, it stated the prime Archangel of Heaven was on another level.
It was said Michael had apparently beaten the both of them so decisively that the twins both avoided him for the rest of the war out of fear. The little notes written in the book called it "the first curb stomp in history.".
Which I thought was pretty damn funny. Imagine being known as the literal Devil, or Devils in this case, the two beings that over half the world was scared of and believed to be evil incarnate... yet also being so terrified of your older brother that you away whenever he came down clean house himself.
Which now makes me both want and wonder if I could get a legacy from Michael? He's related to me by blood and I think the golden holy fire would make some nice-looking fireballs.
"Now if you're all done arguing like chi-"
*Boom*
The Vatican itself shook as a shockwave rolled over the building.
I blinked in surprise at the rather brazen attack. Seriously who the fuck was dumb enough to attack the Vatican? Even if they knew about God being out of the house it was still the seat of the world's largest religion. Hell, there was even an Archangel right here!
"So option one then?" I sighed while looking at Athena.
"Indeed." She nodded.
"Hmm, it seems the forces working against us have launched their preemptive strike." Zeus observed, "Do we have a temporary alliance?"
Odin nodded, "Indeed we do. If Loki and his associates have become arrogant enough to attack both of us on neutral ground, they must believe themselves to have the necessary power to do so. They must be dealt with at once."
The King of Gods stood from his chair, "Then it is settled. Daughter, we will return to Olympus to update the rest of the council and ensure no moves are made upon our territory. Arthur…"
My silver eyes met my grandfather's electric blue ones and a moment of understanding was shared.
"Show them no mercy." He commanded.
Koios, Titan of the North:
"What do you mean our forces are being routed? Those winged bastards haven't even descended from their realm to fight us yet. And will someone tell the mage corps to break this storm already!" Koios roared at the lieutenant that had been assigned to him.
The lieutenant was one of those filthy Norse savages that Loki had provided. If the Titan had it his way, he would have simply brought his own legions to siege Heaven's seat of power. But his brother had ordered him to "play nice" with their allies. So here he was. And if he was being honest, he didn't see the point in allying with the dragon woman and her organization. If they where seeking out and gaining foreign allies than so would the Olympains, all it was doing was escalating the war in scale.
"They've tried repeatedly sir, but whatever is conjuring this storm is not simply magic. It is using divine power to do so." The lieutenant answered back, "It must be Zeus's or Raphael's doing."
Koios frowned, "No. I know my nephew's power. This is reminiscent, but more… watered down."
The lieutenant nodded, "Then we should rep-"
From out of nowhere a sword pierced through reality and split through the man's head.
'Dimensional travel.' The Titan thought in surprise. There weren't any gods or demigods with that sort of power that he knew of.
This wouldn't do.
With a wave of his hand titanic energy obliterated the surrounding area. Koios made sure to put a little more power than usual into it as well, hoping that whoever had just lobotomized the lieutenant wouldn't be able to close their portal in time. Sure, increasing the power and speed of the attack had also killed some of the magicians he had been supplied with, but so what? Humans bred like rabbits, they could be replaced.
The flash of the attack settled and the courtyard he was in had been atomized into a smoking crater. The walls and hallways of the surrounding buildings have been reduced to rubble or set alight as well.
Perhaps that had gotten them?
When his divine senses told him another tear, in reality, had opened again, this time from behind him. He could only growl in frustration as he turned painstakingly slow for a Titan of battle to confront his enemy.
Millennium of being chained and dispersed in the pit had worn him down from his prime. Even after being released for almost a year at this point, not much of his true might had returned.
Which was why he barely was able to turn his head to glimpse his attacker before a fist caught his cheek, shattering his jaw. All while the burning and tingling sensation of a blade coated with lightning cut across his side.
It was a surprise to the Titan that the attacks did as much damage as they had, for he could now feel the soul of his enemy and it was mortal.
A powerful mortal.
How interesting.
Another punch, this time coated with lightning just as his blade had been, caught the dead center of his face. Golden ichor spewed from his now broken nose as he rocketed back. As he did, he thought of what he knew of his attacker. Trying to build a profile to develop a quick counter.
Could pierce through space, had lightning manipulation, incredible strength, and had silver eyes behind the sunglasses he was wearing.
Those last three details were familiar.
Arthur Winchester. Kronos had warned him about this one.
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