Descendants: Dawn of the Fighters

xii. Family gatherings

"We should be arriving in about five minutes, your holiness." Asswipe is sitting next to me as he addresses Father, who's across from us. 

"Good." Ever since that memory, I suddenly feel like I'm looking at my father in a different way. I still have so many questions, but I'll eventually get the answers.

How does my father truly feel about me? 

Why can't he be a normal fucking parent?

I sigh as I stare at the scenery going by, it's good to be above ground. The stench of death isn't present up here, just the way I like it. 

"Midnight." I turn to my father, who actually meets my eyes.

"You will pay your respects to Zeus, then after he dismisses you, you will go see your mother." Suddenly it all makes sense, the reason Zeus is having us come to Olympus is because we need my mother to figure out what's wrong with my chest.

And Persephone isn't allowed in the Underworld.

Not anymore.

I watch as the vast tower comes into view as we enter the city, and Father throws a drachma to the driver who gives his gratitude. With Asswipe tailing behind us with our bags, and enter through the lobby into Grand Olympus. Everyone in the room stops and bows in fear as my father enters ahead of us, there's no introduction necessary for the receptionist as we head toward the golden elevator. 

"Agent Fenris." I try not to laugh as Asswipe straightens up like a good little soldier. 

"Take the black elevator to our rooms and place our baggage there. Meet us in the throne room once you're finished." He bows his head and makes his way over to my father's elevators rather than following us. 

I honestly forgot that because of how important my father is, being one of the "Big Three", he gets a special place here in Grand Olympus. In fact, they each have their own floors where they can stay for business.

Or in Zeus's case, for pleasure. 

Disgusting pig. 

We listen to the music as the elevator takes us up to the top floor. I can't help but glance at my father, my nails dig into the palms of my head as I force out the words. 

"Father..." His body stiffens, it's been a while since I've called him that without disdain. 

"Did..." I'm damn near close to sweating at this point, I don't know how to talk to him.

"Did you... know where I was at the age of eleven?" I barely manage to get it out, I'm trying to calm the pounding of my heat as he turns to meet my eyes. 

"What do you want me to say?" In an instant, my heart stops just like that. There's no coldness or emptiness in his voice; this time, it's gentle. Kind, and filled with warmth. 

This isn't the voice of the father I was so scared of as a child. 

Suddenly the doors open, and the moment is gone. Father strides out without saying anything else, and I do nothing but simply follow behind him. More conflicted than before. 

"Brother!" All of the gods are here today, this surprises me. 

"It's good to have you join us so quickly! Now, where's our favorite Forbidden Child?" I bite my tongue of all of the words I could use to describe him as I approach Zeus's throne and bow my head in respect.

"Good afternoon, your holiness." I'm chocking on that one.

"Awe, look at you! We barely manage to get a good look at you the last time you were here!" I force a smile as he descends from his throne. Even in his mortal vessel, he looks like a jackass. He has long, flowing brown hair with a decent size beard. He's muscular, but if you pay too much attention to it, you'll be killed.

By his crazy, possessive wife.

"You sure have grown up to be a beautiful, fine, young--"

"Ahem." I bite my tongue from laughing as Zeus chuckles uncomfortably after glancing at Hera, who's ready to throw him into the next generation.

"Well, why don't we figure out what's going on yes?" He beckons his hand and I hear the gliding steps of feet across the tile. I turn and her hair is brilliant right now in the sun.

I swear I hate that I didn't inherit her beautiful sunset orange hair. 

"Hello dear." I bow my head, trying not to be blinded by her smile. 

"Let me see." I carefully pull away my shirt and I hear a few gasps and awes at the sight of my chest. It's almost completely covered in black now, and my veins have popped to where they look like white, spider webs. 

"Wow..." Zeus is staring at my chest like a little kid would a candy bar. 

"No matter how hard you stare at them dear, they're not going to get any bigger." I hear a few snickers at Zeus glares at Hera before climbing back on his throne. 

"May I?" I flinch as Persephone's warm, gentle fingers graze across my chest. With her face so close to mine, it's hard to not stare at her. Her porcelain pale skin that glitters like diamonds in the sun, her emerald green eyes, and her thin, gorgeous features. 

"Hades." He's over in a flash, and for some reason, something in my chest shifts. 

It's kinda like we're an actual family.

Except for the many eyes glued to us like a fat kid on cake. 

Love family gatherings.