Our Fates Were Intertwined Long Ago

The Curse of Kings

He stared at the Protogenoi awaiting her reasoning for guiding him to this cavern. To her. Yet she just sat observing him in return.

Her gaze did not feel malignant yet Percy was fully aware the contentment he was feeling was due to Lady Ananke and most likely artificial.

He did not know what the Protogenoi of Destiny and Inevitability wanted with him but he knew that her daughters 'The Fates' attention was never good thus he reasoned hers wouldn't be either.

'The Mother of the Fates. Does that make her the faithless one if she controls destiny and her daughters are unable to control her. Would that-' his thoughts were cut off by her laughter.

He blushed cursing his 'Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder ,why did he need it again. Oh yeah battle instincts although couldn't they have made it a switch. Actually no, he'd prefer they remove the dyslex-'.

'Stupid' he chided himself as the Protogenoi's rambunctious laughter echoed off the walls of the cave. He was disappointed that she could apparently read his mind despite the training his Father gave him after the Hera situation.

Logically he was aware of the power difference between a Protogenoi and a God but he still hoped he could protect himself. She did not comment on his thoughts though.

"I knew I liked you Percy," she stated calming down.

'Percy... not Perseus as the other Gods besides his father called him.' He understood her position as the writer of Destiny but how much of his life did she know.

"My Lad-," he started and was interrupted.

"Do not fear me, Percy. I shall not harm you. I brought you here to discuss some important matters."

He was confused on why she had chosen to contact him and not someone else, say Apollo. While the God was still himself, Zeus' threat of turning him mortal had made him more cautious in his decisions. Especially, regarding prophecies. He attempted to voice his question but she responded patiently.

"The Son of Leto is a god of Prophecies. Moreover, linked to Fate. You Percy, you have always been very intertwined with destiny. From even before you knew what you were, my daughters showed you the Son of Hermes destiny. It is only fitting that it be one of your domains." she replied leaving him with more questions.

Once again she left no time for him to speak, continuing, "I understand you are tired after everything. Yet it is not over, my dear. There are reasons that the Titans and Gaea alongside her Giants rose so close to one another. You defied fate by giving the Son of Hermes your dagger. He was meant to destroy Olympus that day and it was to be rebuilt."

"Zeus' reign has long passed its natural course and it is only his greed for power that keeps him King. And well his siblings, while not admitting it are still grateful of the fact he freed them from the Titan of Harvest's stomach and thus tolerated his wrongdoings."

Percy was admittedly very confused. 'What did she mean by this?'. Finally voicing a question he asked, "What do you mean his reign has run its course. When was it meant to finish? Who is meant to rule if not one of the big three?"

She chuckled this time like a mother listening to her child questioning why the sky is blue. "Zeus' reign was due to end when Hera,Athena, Apollo and your father tried to overthrow him. The entire fight was orchestrated by someone and while the Olympians fought for control, Briareus, Son of Gaea and Uranus freed him. Your father and Apollo were punished and he was not challenged again."

"While I write Destiny, it is not word for word, and it is not set in stone. Gaea and my daughters who liked having control over Zeus defied me and helped him. Gaea wished to see to it he remain for longer until now when it has gotten too far."

"Zeus was not at first a bad King. Your father has told you this I believe. But as time progressed, he was slowly eroded from defying a 'Direct Universal Law of Balance'."

"You see Percy, the Crown of Olympus is a heavy one. Its Ruler is not meant to be Eternal. It is why even we, The Protogenoi, saw our reign end. This is the balance required to court Chaos and keep the Universe in Order."

"When Uranus had forced his reign after he was meant to step down, the Universe created a law. Those who did not concede control when the time came would rule with deteriorating mental facilities until they were so unobservant or paranoid, it would be easy to overthrow them."

"This is what has happened with all the Kings. Cronus ruled well at first. So well that it was called 'The Golden Age'. But alas, he defied the law by eating his children. When Zeus was freed that day by Briareus and did not relinquish the crown, it was accepted as a dismissal of the Law."

Percy had sat quietly for one of the first times in his life listening to her lecture. He had sensed her words to have meaning and analyzed each one but he still had questions. "You did not say who shall be ,King ?"

She made to answer but was interrupted by the cave shaking as if his Father was enraged. Looking to the ceiling she smiled, "You will know soon. Farewell, Rewriter of Destiny. We shall talk soon. Your ascension is after all only days away."

"WHAT?" Percy exclaimed in confusion. Athena had estimated a month.

Ananke looked at him with a cheeky smile, "Yes, it was meant to be twenty-two days but this meeting here tonight proved useful to burn your mortality faster. Danger approaches, Percy. You will need all the help you can get. Now, wake!"

Percy jolted upwards immediately searching the room for the presence he identified. Standing next to his bed was Apollo. Observing the concern on the God's face sent a flood of relief through him.

With all this new information that Zeus was actually mentally ill, he could not help the worry that Zeus may have perhaps changed his mind and sent Apollo to kill him.

Thankfully, his mind was protected against someone like Apollo. Looking out the window he observed the darkness of the night and estimated that the Sun would have to be risen in an hour.

Wanting to be alone he laid his back against the headboard holding Apollo's gaze and purring huskily, "Care to join me darling?"

He was taken by surprise when the Sun God crawled onto his bed until he was straddling Percy's lap. His breath caught observing Apollo's loose hair that surrounded his head like a crown of gold.

Beauty had a new meaning for him. Feeling the God lean all his weight onto him to caress his cheek he grabbed Apollo's hips awaiting a response.

Yet, Apollo just stared at him with their faces inches apart. Finally, he leaned in to whisper into Percy's ears as if the Godling was a frightened kitten and whispered quietly, "I'm sorry but it appears something happened. I did a check- up on you when I noticed something happening in your sleep and it seems your ascension has sped up."

Surprised by the God's care he leaned back against the headboard fully, allowing Apollo to nuzzle into his neck to give comfort. "It's fine. I'll be fine."

At least he hoped so.

Sitting in his bedroom in Apollo's palace with the God cuddled on his lap he allowed himself to relax fully. With Apollo here he was a tree immovable and rooted. 

For you, I shall be a tree

But you make me a bird, forever free