Lieutenant

Chapter 21

AlexusAP: Okay I know I said I would not change anything, but I feel that the one-shot part should be added here. If anyone does not wish to read the smut, I will leave a warning as to where it starts and ends. Other than that, all of this story(including the one-shot), as you all know I have no rights over and all the disclaimer stuff. Yes I have permission from the author to put it in. 

Zoë looked forward to the letters. They kept her sane, and they had been her comfort the past few years as the Giants continued to wage war. She re-read them every night before bed, it was a routine, a comfortable one.

Even now, she held the smooth paper in her hands, studying the careful scrawl of the ink, sometimes it was messy, rushed, but it warmed her heart knowing Artemis had still thought to write even if it was frantic.

My Dearest,
The war is not something I foresee ending quickly. These Giants match us in our skills and crafts. Still, we will try until we can't, some progress has been made, we are learning.

I never thought Ares was right when he said there was a small beauty in war, but there is. My brother next to me is a comfort in combat and we traverse the battlefield in perfect harmony. Athena is in her element. A gorgeous but deadly woman, her strategies have saved us time and time again.

Even Hermes is a sight to see clad in his armor a blur on the battlefield. I am proud to say we can hold our own, only we must learn to make progress if we are to preserve Olympus. Still, the fighting is young, there is time to grow.

I wonder how things are with you and the others. I hope you are safe and happy. I must finish this letter briefly. I am called to arms once more.

Yours truly

Sighing, Zoë set the letter aside. It was the first and thus the most worn out. The next had come nearly a month later.

Love,

Sometimes I wish you were here. Maybe it would make things easier to handle. Only I know I did the right thing leaving you behind. I take comfort in your safety. Please have faith that I will return.

There was no signing at the end that day, she'd been crunched on time. Zoë sighed to herself and moved to the next. This one had been significantly late but it was indeed the longest. There was no introduction as if Artemis thought it would take away her time to write other more important things.

I wish there was a way I no longer feel tired. I didn't think such exhaustion was possible. It seems to be a permanent deadlock and if I had it my way, I would find a peaceful compromise. Athena has suggested such a thing but my father insists on a gory victory.

I am tired Zoë. My excitement has drained and the beauty of battle has become ugly. I do not wish to see my brother in such pain any more. His chariot was blown to bits and his poor body suffered the consequences. Even my mighty sister is feeling the effects.

Gentle Persephone has become someone I fear most of all. Plants should not be able to do as they have. What she has done with them. Hermes does not smile nor joke and it is like his sense of humor was the first part of him to be sliced down.

We are losing ourselves for the sake of victory. Do not get me wrong, I am glad we have finally acquired the upper hand, but I worry the cost will be high. Justice does need to be brought to these insurgents, but perhaps we are not the ones to provide such punishments.

What is worse. Orion has crawled from his confines in the pits of Tartarus to answer the call of his brethren. He fights most viciously and insists on attempting to cut me down. I will not be telling the truth if I did not tell you it pains me to see him in such a state.