The End of an Olympian

20 | Minor Gods

The meeting went a little into lunch as we hashed out the details of training the Maris Astérians and the demigods. Defensive traps and scouts and such were arranged. And a solid plan on what to do should Zeus send forces at us was made. Everyone felt just a little more confident. Unfortunately, confidence alone is not enough to win a war.

1032 words

Percy

"Don't raise your arms too far up. It leaves your midsection exposed," I instructed.

I was training beginner basics for sword fighting. An astonishing number of Maris Astérians were naturals with a bow, but a select few preferred melee weapons. Hardly any chose a spear and even fewer were good at traps.

Because the group was not too big, I also had the younger/newer demigods in this class. It was going fairly well and real progress was evident by the third hour.

"Good. Let's go again. Keep mentally checking your stance. It should be neutral enough so you can easily transition between attacking and defending."

I went around to make comments and fix a few bad habits. Stopping at Lucius, I was very impressed. He was keeping up with Caleb's strikes and getting a few good hits in too. While Caleb was also inexperienced, he had battle reflexes that demigods inherited. For Lucius to be just as novel to sword fighting but only slightly below par with Caleb, impressive might have been an understatement.

"Remind me to give you some private lessons," I said to Lucius. "I think you could be really good with regular practice."

I sent him a smile that he easily returned. I could tell he gained self-confidence through these lessons. Knowing that you can defend yourself tends to give you a greater sense of autonomy.

Not wanting for Caleb to feel ignored, I added, "Caleb is a good sparring partner for you. He's very precise, which makes for a great fighter. He's a quick learner too. Keep up the good work."

Caleb looked away as he reddened from the praise, unused to such compliments. I remembered he did the same when I congratulated or commended him in class.

"Thanks, Percy," they both said almost in sync. The two made eye contact before laughing with each other. I smiled and shook my head at their antics as I left them to practice, secretly glad my people were getting along well with the demigods.

The same type of training sessions went on for the next week or so. The gods were helping their children immensely with their natural abilities. Hades even brought Persephone to work with the Demeter cabin. All in all, progress was in our favor. Then Themis, Titan goddess of justice, approached me.

I was on the shore when I noticed her flash in. She was a few feet away from me and stood with a calm disposition. No weapon in sight—not that it mattered since gods can materialize weapons anytime they please—and hands splayed in front. Themis was trying very hard not to appear as a threat.

"Lord Perseus," she said as a means of greeting with a slight bow of her head.

"Lady Themis," I greeted back. "You can call me Percy if you want," I added casually.

Respectfully, she shook her head. "I cannot address the future king so colloquially."

"Future king? So you do not support the side of tradition?" I questioned skeptically.

"Very few support him, my Lord. They are angry that even after the Titan War and Giant War, he had not acknowledged, let alone thanked the minor gods for their help when it was given. And he did not honor your wish on the Styx to free the peaceful titans. I believe he's soon to pay for breaking his oath. It's mostly only the war gods who stand behind him and only because it is in their nature to seek out war. But we know how much you've done to improve the respect minor gods and peaceful titans receive. And we know you would be a fair ruler. We also know that your people have been wronged. A lot of us once accepted such treatment, but we have learned from our past and no longer wish to support immoral ideas. Many minor gods and almost all peaceful titans are fearful and will not say this openly. But you should know, my Lord, that justice is on your side."

Themis was sincere the entire time, I could tell. And I was just as sincere when I smiled and thanked her for the support.

"Would any minor gods be willing to fight with me?" I asked hopefully. I couldn't ask the peaceful titans to fight if it was in their nature to remain peaceful.

She immediately looked regretful and I knew the answer was no. "I will, even if I'm technically a titaness. And I will try to convince others. But even if the ones who do not openly join him say no, I think it would be because they wish to remain neutral rather than fight."

"That's alright. I understand. If you could tell them I would hold no animosity towards those who stayed neutral, that would be greatly appreciated. And I've promised their children to pardon those who were coerced to fight with him, should I win."

Themis smiled brightly at that. "I have no doubt you will win. We will have a new king, I am sure. Even if it means the end of the Olympians."

I grew a little uneasy at that thought. It still concerned me that this war might destroy what little peace there was. But I could not back down now. So I merely said, "Even if we do not win. They can never say we did not try to do what is right, what we have known to be right for a long time now. And that is the difference that matters."

"Wisely said, my Lord. And I believe I must bid you goodbye. Our enemies plot day and night. We must be ready."

"See you soon, Lady Themis." I waved as she flashed away.

She may have left me to stand on the beach wondering how the war will end, but she left me with hope. That hope only grew as several minor gods including Nike, Adrestia, Asopus, Caerus, Aesculapius, and Eirene—even though she refused to partake in the fighting as the goddess of peace—promised to aid me.

It wasn't long before the sky started to darken and lightning struck the Earth. Zeus's attack was soon to begin.