From The Beginning {A Percy Jackson Fanfiction}

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"Pass me the child, Rhea." Lord Kronos said as his wife, Lady Rhea, clutched the bundles of cloth to her chest. The firstborn child of Lord Kronos and Lady Rhea was born yesterday, and Lord Kronos was finally able to meet his daughter. Lady Rhea passed over their daughter.

"What is her name, dear?" Lord Kronos asked as he looked down upon the child. The baby opened her eyes and met Lord Kronos's with her own bright, intelligent ones. She smiled and raised her tiny fist up to grab the King's.

"Hestia," Lady Rhea answered, holding her breath. Everyone at the gathering could understand her hesitance. Lord Kronos's father had cursed him to have his children rise against him just like he did. Hestia cooed, releasing a soft chorus of awes from a few Titanesses at the gathering.

"A beautiful name, my love." Lord Kronos smiled at his wife before looking down at their daughter. He seemed conflicted. His eyes kept hardening and softening, finally settling on an unreadable expression. "She is a beautiful child, Rhea. I expect nothing less of you."

Lady Rhea smiled gently, her face turning a red color. "However," Lord Kronos continued. Lady Rhea's smile faded. "I cannot risk my seat being overthrown. I must rid of her."

"Kronos," Lady Rhea pleaded. "Please, she is your daughter!"

"Silence, my love. This is for the safety of our people. You must understand. Guards!"

Two burly Titans stepped forward and gently, but firmly grabbed Lady Rhea's arms. The Queen screamed. "Kronos! Please, stop this! I beg of you!"

Kronos turned from his wife, still holding Hestia and unhinged his jaw. Hestia started crying as if she knew what was happening. The King closed his eyes and opened his mouth to accommodate the size of the child. He then hefted up the child and shoved it into his mouth, swallowing the girl in one quick gulp.

Rhea screamed and kicked at the guards, who stood their ground with a stoic expression.

Perseus wrinkled his nose in disgust at their King. He turned to look at his father, who wore a shocked expression. He seemed to be as troubled as Perseus. Oceanus met his gaze and frowned. They settled back into their seats as Lord Kronos turned back around.

"Everyone is dismissed. Return to your domains."

Oceanus turned to Perseus and grabbed his shoulder, flashing them to their palace under the water. They appeared in the throne room, where some of Perseus's sisters were talking. One of which was Metis, one of Perseus's closer siblings. When Metis saw him, she excused herself from the conversation and walked over to him, embracing him in a quick hug.

Metis had developed most of her looks from her mother, as most of the Oceanids had. She had flowing, dark brown hair and piercing grey eyes. She often wore beautiful white chitons and adorned her arms with armbands made of gold. However, do not let her appearance deceive you, as she could probably incapacitate you in less than three moves.

"What is troubling you, brother?" Metis asked as she took his hand and guided him to a nearby couch. Although the furniture was made of coral, it had been enchanted to provide comfort to the user. "Did the ceremony not go as planned? What of the child?"

Perseus frowned and started explaining the events of the ceremony. "Lady Rhea had introduced her firstborn, a beautiful baby girl named Hestia. She was quite the charmer, half the audience adored her."

Metis gestured for him to continue.

"Lord Kronos, on the other hand, had other ideas. The curse his father had placed on him had made him paranoid. He swallowed Hestia like she was nothing more than a piece of Ambrosia."