Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In the twisting dark between worlds THEY searched, their dark cloaks billowed as they fleeted across worlds.

Many were desolate, ruined places, or were burned to crisps, or fractured apart, or filled with never-ending storms, or made up of radioactive wastelands, or simply non-existent.

These worlds THEY quickly left, as they did not contain what THEY were searching for.

Finally, as THEY moved on from a world encased in earth, THEY noticed it. Though cold, it was not in ruins, and as THEY peered inside THEY noticed this world was quite different from THEIR own. Gone was the sprawling wilderness and brightness of the stars, instead, what lied before THEM were great structures of stone, the lights emanating from these structures as well as the ground replacing the light of the stars.

THEY were soon about to move on from this world before THEY caught a scent, faint as it was, but it was there.

Hopeful but wary, THEY moved.

Away from the stone structures and towards a forest, not as wild or sprawling as their own, but still there.

The scent was getting stronger.

THEY had found it, the place was strange, with a large building of a strange style situated afar from twelve smaller buildings, as well as others scattered about, a barrier was there yes, but it was weaker than THEY thought it should be for what it may contain. THEY shook it off, surely there was deeper protection than they could see.

There was not, THEIR presence would not even be noticed until the light shone again.

THEY approached one of the smaller buildings, it had a strange scent, mingled with various animals and places, but the main scent was that of twirling snakes, lies, rams, hawks, and the rooster. 

As THEY entered, THEY saw them.

GODLINGS

The very thing THEY had been searching for, to fix THEIR struggling loom and tapestry.

THEY wanted to take them all, but first it peered into each soul, and what it found disgusted THEM. 

These precious miracles were scarred, and not just from threats they would naturally face, no, these miracles had scars from THE GODS.

Their strings were battered and worn from hardship, few even contained a scent claim, HOW HORRENDOUS.

THEY wished to take them all, but THEY knew THEY could not, lest THEY lose access to more.

THEY would limit THEMSELVES.

Looking about this cabin, they saw two little miracles curled up against each other, they looked like twins, but one was younger than the other, their natural scent of trickery and snakes announced them as sons of Hermes.

They hardly had any kind of claim on them, their scent barren besides that of other miracles.

THEY took THEM first, but not before making certain changes, THEY made the two younger, traded certain traits for others.  THEY did this to make the process easier, THEY could not take the scars sadly, those would stay, but with the love their new family would give them, they would hardly gain any more. 

Grabbing hold of their essence, THEY spun the two twins into strings that they may weave. The two strings twined together, their pale orange strings would do well in their tapestry.

THEY moved on to another building, this building smelled of freshly pressed grapes, leopards and of madness and revelry, Dionysius.

Inside was a single sleeping miracle, looking at their scent, they had a stronger claim than the miracles in the other cabin, but it was far weaker than it should be. Before THEY could spin them into a string THEY noticed something, the miracle was a twin like the others, but they did not have their other half. 

THEY would rectify that, THEY had a feeling that the miracles other half was still in the underworld, how the Gods could have let that happen enraged THEM, so as THEY took the rich purple string into their basket, THEY vowed to go to the underworld to find more miracles, as if one was there, there would surely be more.

THEY moved on to another cabin, skipping a few. This one smelled of sunlight and song, swans and wolves, Apollo.

As THEY moved inside THEY saw two figures sleeping against each other, but the miracles did not both smell of the sun, one smelled of the deep underground, of bones and death and hounds. This little one was a son of Hades.

THEY could not bring THEMSELVES to separate them, just as the others, THEY spun both together, making their changes, the poor dears had been through so much, but they would get all they deserved in their new home. Their strings of bright yellow and deep ochre would make fine additions to the tapestry.

THEY moved towards a cabin that smelled of owls, olives and wisdom, Athena.

Inside the cabin were several miracles, but not as many as were in the Hermes or Apollo cabin. THEY searched looking about the cabin, and a miracle caught THEIR eye. The little one had shining golden golden hair and a streak of grey within. The miracle had scars of twirling clouds on their back, only one such being could cause that. How DARE the Gods allow such a burden to be placed upon their shoulders.

THEY quickly spun the miracle into a Grey thread, made their changes and THEY moved on to another cabin.

 This cabin had barbs of wire littered across the roof and a great boar head placed at its mantle. It smelled of war and vultures, of boars and spears, Ares.

Inside the cabin were about as many miracles as the previous. THEY decided THEY would also only take one from here.

Looking around THEY saw a strong miracle, fit for a child of Ares, with many scars to prove their strength. This one would do well in their new home.

Spinning them into thread, a beautiful bloody red manifested, Ares would love this daughter of his.

Skipping another cabin, THEY moved to one that smelled of horses, of the sea and storms, and of the earth shaking, Poseidon.

Inside a little miracle waited, he was littered with scars, and had a Grey streak in his hair as well, with the same scars the Athena child had upon their back. Though THEY smelled more of a claim upon them than the others, it still was far less than it should be. Looking closer at the miracles essence though, THEY saw gold in their thread, the Godling would ASSEND. These Gods were undeserving of these miracles, let alone a new god. No, they would not have them, they were THEIRS. They spun the little miracle as they had the others, and added the Sea-green thread to their basket.

Sensing no more miracles to search from what THEY had already passed, THEY decided to seek through the world for others, eventually THEY found the fangs of Artemis, and one caught their attention, a daughter of the storm king Zeus. Yes, THEY would take them as well before THEY journeyed to the underworld for more. Spinning their string into a stormy blue, they continued on.

In a camp of Romans, THEY only took the brother of Zeus’ daughter, as THEY did not wish to alert the Gods anymore than THEY already did. Spinning their thread, THEY then descended into the underworld.

The underworld was repulsive. Filled with litter and pollution, it seemed that the underworlds’ king was inattentive, but after what THEY had seen of how the Gods treated the miracles, it no longer surprised THEM. 

THEY could not sense any souls outside of the joke this world called Elysium, so THEY entered.

As THEY were walking along the banks of the river, THEY encountered another son of Hermes. Though ghostly, he had pale blonde hair and electric blue eyes.

Stopping by him, THEY noticed the miracle had great guilt written upon his face. Sitting down next to him, THEY spoke aloud.

“What brings you such guilt little one? Are you not in the resting place of Heroes? What could trouble you so?” THEY asked, looking down at their figure.

“I made terrible decisions while I was alive, but the fates claimed me a hero according to their damned prophecy. Now I'm here, surrounded by people who DO deserve to be here.” He spoke, still looking down at the river.

“I don't know If I have it in me to reincarnate, what if I am born as a demigod again, then I could hurt even more people. I just wish to be born mortal, maybe go to Asphodel.” He sighed.

THEY looked down at him, and saw how the fates of this world had treated him. It brought THEM great disgust, how could THEIR counterparts be so cruel? He would do well in his new home however, and His new father would adore him far more than his current one.

“Would you like to have a life with no pain or strife, with a parent who adores you so, and where you will not be plagued with a terrible fate?” THEY asked, hopeful.

“Yeah, I wish, but the fates probably won't let me, they'll probably put me through similar things again” He replied.

“I can promise that you won't.” THEY said.

“How can you be so sure?” He asked, sadness written on his face.

“Because I will ensure it.” THEY replied, taking hold of his essence and turning him into another string for THEIR basket. THEY would make sure all of the little miracles would live without the strife they knew in this world.

Moving on in Elysium, THEY searched for the missing purple string, eventually they found them, they were younger than their brother, likely from the years that had passed since their death. It did not matter to THEM, they would be together again, and the same age. Approaching the miracle, they added another purple string to their basket.

All of these little miracles would be adored by their parents, they would know no more strife or hardship, and would be able to grow again.

THEY took their scissors and snipped away from the ungrateful world, and entered their original. The Fates of that wretched world would likely notice, but there was nothing they would be able to do, they did not have THEIR ability. They were cruel and undeserving, THEIR talk with the godling only confirmed that.

Looking down upon THEIR basket, they decided it better to scatter the strings about, as some had connections with others that would cause strife.

Taking both pairs and the daughter of Ares, THEY placed them in an open field, so that they could quickly be found.

THEY then gathered the Daughter of Athena, the sons of Apollo and Hades, and the children of Zeus. THEY took their strings and brought them to a hill near a city, so they could easily gather resources needed to contact their parents.

Taking the string of the one THEY had spoken to, THEY brought their string to the forest near their father, as THEY could feel this one was more independent than the others.

Finally, glancing down at the Sea-green string threaded with gold, THEY took it into a different forest, near a lake where they could seek help to find their father.

Now with an empty basket, THEY were content to begin weaving these strings into the tapestry. THEY would not tell the Gods of what they had done, as they would soon find their gifts, and THEY wished it to be a surprise.

THEY thought excitedly of what the little ones would do.

Chapter Text

The sun was rising above the sky, and as the light filtered down to the field below, the golden grass alive and moving in the wind, five figures laid strewn out across the grass.

The freshly drawn sunlight danced across their relaxed faces and soon, they each stirred awake.

Clarisse rose from the grass, twigs and leaves stuck in her hair, sitting up, the others around her began to wake up.

“Where-” Clarisse asked in confusion before she moved up, suddenly alert, she reached to her side to grab her spear, but she only got a handful of grass and dirt.

“Dam it. Where are we?” Clarisse asked.

Clarisse looked over at the Stolls, annoyance now evident.

“This better not be another one of your pranks.” She hissed.

Pushing himself up, Travis looked around at the scenery, confusion written on his face.

“No- this wasn't us. I don't know, but we're definitely not at camp anymore” He said.

“This reeks of something the Gods did.” Connor then spoke, pulling himself up from the ground.

“And if its the Gods…      Then Percy’s probably in this mess too.”

“Do you think its Hera again?” Travis asked

“Not likely, she planned for years before taking action, and there wasn't even a peep of prophecy for this- meaning we have to find out for ourselves what is going on.” Clarisse spoke, before looking up at her companions.

“Why do you look like that!” She shouted, gesturing to them.

“What about you! You look crazy too!” Travis quipped back.

Now stopping to take a good look at themselves and each other there were very noticeable differences from their previous appearance.

Travis and Connor were very similar, with snake scales littered across their skin, their eyes taking a similar snake-like appearance. They had large Hawk wings jutting out of their backs, some of the feathers taking the shiny green plumage of a rooster. Some of the hair on their heads were swapped out for brown hawk feathers. Their limbs ending in rooster claws, they each had rooster tails trailing from their backs.

Clarisse on the other hand had Vulture wings kept close to her back, feathers wrapped around her neck like a shawl. Brown boar eyes replaced her original ones, tusks jutted downwards from her mouth, boar ears replaced the human ones on the sides of her head. A dark brown boar tail swishing in annoyance.

The only other difference however, was one of great note, each of them were nearly five years younger.

“This is DEFINITELY the Gods faults. But If we're here, then others are probably here too. We need to figure out why we are here.” Clarisse spoke.

As she spoke, there was a noise from the ground a few paces to their left.

“Pollux! You're here too! and who-” Connor gaped looking at the pair.

“Castor!” Pollux suddenly shouted, wrapping his twin in his arms.

The two were not immune to the change, they too were younger, but strangely they both looked the same age. Leopard tails and ears adorned their features, their hands replaced with leopard paws, and their eyes a rich red-purple.

“You died! You died and left me all alone!” Pollux cried, claws gripping into his twins’ hair.

“Sorry, but… I somehow… I'm here now, and I won't leave again.” Castor looked at Pollux with resolve, smiling faintly.

“I love a good reunion, but none of us have weapons and we're in a very unfamiliar place. I say we try to find a town or something, get supplies and information. It's too dangerous to be as we are in wild country.”  Clarisse finally spoke out.

They each glanced to their sides, as she had said, there were no weapons on their person, in fact, they didn't even have their normal clothes on either, they seemed to be in different colors of traditional Greek wear.

“This is getting way too weird for me, I agree with Clarisse, we should try to find a town so we can get supplies. I say we head west.” Travis said, pointing in the general direction of the west.

Now with a semi-cohesive plan in place, they gathered themselves and headed west.

______________________________________________________________________________________

They were walking for what seemed to be forever, though the sun was gentle and welcoming on their skin, and the wind willowed through their hair, they had all stopped ro rest by a tree.

Grabbing limbs from the tree, Clarisse fashioned herself a crude spear, the others made crude clubs. As they layed down on the ground Travis beoke the silence hanging over them.

“We've been walking forever! Are we ever going to find a town? We should have found some kind of civilization by now!” Travis groaned, his wings feathers ruffled in annoyance.

“We can’t assume that we are still in America, maybe the Gods needed us somewhere outside of the US.” Clarisse replied, looking out past the shade of the tree.

Suddenly, out of the tall grass and bushes there was a sudden rustling sound, the demigods quickly turned, Grabbing hold of their crude weapons they tensed waiting for the source of the noise.

A Griffin burst out from the grass, tackling Castor to the ground, his club tumbling out of his paw. Scrambling, the demigods quickly surrounded the creature.

“Quickly! Each of you get its side! I'll get its flank!” Clarisse shouted, raising her spear at the monster as she rushed at it.

The Griffin took another swipe at Castor, who was still pinned. Pollux then hit its’ side with his club. The Griffen turned its attention away from the boy underneath it, using the distraction, Castor rolled out from under it, Scratching it's front claws with his.

Now that Castor was no longer stuck the other demigods began to pelt the griffin the attacks, finally Clarisse wad able to ram her spear-stick into the griffin, killing it and making it burst into golden dust.

Even more exhausted and beat up from their fight, especially in their younger bodies, The demigods layed still for a while, catching their breath. Cuts and scratches littered across their panting forms.

After a while of laying down on the grass, Travis spoke up.

“We REALLY need to find a town” Travis said, staring at the rising sun blankly.

With that comment they began their journey west once more.

______________________________________________________________________________________

Eventually they did find a town, but it wasn't the kind of town they were expecting. What should have been modern gray-scale buildings or even ones fashioned out of brick was instead ancient Greek architecture, a great wall surrounded the city, colorful buildings laid across the field ahead of them, though every building seemed to be leading towards the center of the town.

“We DEFINITELY aren't in America anymore.” Connor commented, his yellow snake eyes glancing over and gesturing to the ancient Greek town in front of them.

“At least it's a town, we can get supplies here.” Clarisse replied, her expression hardening with her resolve, her brown vulture wings flying out.

Walking down towards it they eventually reached the gates of the city, but before fully approaching the gatekeepers Clarisse stopped them.

“Wait- We shouldn't go in… We don't look normal, we don't fit in.” Clarisse said as she gestured to their strange non-human appearances.

“I think the mist will work just fine for us, after all- It works for crazy-looking monsters, who's to say it won't work for us too? Though we might run into issues because of our attire” Pollux replied, referencing their ancient-looking clothing.

“Okay… ” Clarisse relented, the worry still evident on her face as a tail swished.

Walking up to the city gates they approached the guardkeeper, strangely, he was also dressed in ancient looking clothing. Once fully in front of the gates the guardkeeper looked down at their small forms.

“Hello young ones. What are you doing outside the city? You should know how dangerous it is out there, with the Gods being how they are right now.” The guardkeeper said kneeling down to them as if speaking too loud would get him into trouble.

The demigods looked at each other in panic, It wasn't just what he said that made them panicked, it was how he said it. He wasn't even speaking normal Greek, no, he was speaking Ancient Greek.

“Can you give us a sec?” They each said in unison, turning away.

“He just spoke ancient Greek! Do you think he's some kind of ancient monster?” Castor asked, looking at the guardkeeper nervously, his ears flat to his head and tail swishing nervously.

“No… He seemed pretty normal, besides his mention of the Gods… and his strange clothing… and the city he's guarding…” Pollux said, glancing at his brother.

“I think… I think we're not just not in America” Connor said.

“Dam the fates… We need information, and the best place for that is still in the town.” Clarisse said.

They returned to the guardkeeper, looking up at him, he was distinctly human, nothing strange buzzed like it did for monsters or Gods.

“Sorry about that… could we go in?” Travis said, tucking his wings and tail in to be less distracting, the others did the same.

“Of course young ones! You all look rough for shape, you should have a place to rest.” The guardkeeper replied, relenting them so that they could enter the town.

Now with the blessing of hospitality, they entered the town. Looking around they noticed that the town did not seem very old for the style of the buildings. As they walked through the town, the roads seemed to be leading them towards the center,  and once they reached it, they stopped, looking up at the statue in front of them.

It was a strange thing, chiseled from marble in excruciating detail, it depicted a child, their features were vague, despite the detail it was carved with. It stood there, its face lit up with joy, a simple cloth covering them as it held its hands clasped in front of it. Below, inscribed in ancient Greek was a plaque and below it read:

"Τοῖς ἀφαιρεθέντας ἡμῶν, καὶ τοῖς ὅσοι ἡμεῖς ἴσως ἡμέραν τινὰ ἔχωμεν.”

…

“To the ones that were taken from us, and to the ones we may one day keep.” 

“Strange…” Connor commented, looking at the statue.

“Interested in that statue there young ones?” said a sudden voice behind them.

They all turned to look at the source of the voice, an elderly mortal woman stood there, a look of quiet grief on her face as she looked up at the statue.

“This statue you see is a memorial, meant to remind us of how lucky we are as mortals.” She said looking up.

“Lucky?” Connor asked.

“Yes, lucky. We have the free ability to do the very thing the Gods yearn for, rearing up children.” She spoke.

“Wait what? Aren't the Gods notorious for having like- a ton of kids?” Castor butted in.

“You must not be from around here, if you think that is what happened.” She said, now turning to look at them.

“You are right about that. Could you tell us?” Clarisse said, taking a step towards her, her tucked wings moving out a bit from their place on her back.

“It is a very long story, but I suppose I have the time to tell it. It all started after the Titans gained power, are you aware of that as well?” she asked genuinely.

“No, we're aware, you can continue.” Castor said.

“Good” the woman said.

“It all started after the king of the Titans- Kronos - was defeated, he was bitter about his defeat, and just as he was about to be cut into pieces and cast to the pit, he laid a curse, are curse to prevent the gods from ever continuing.”

Chapter Text

“It all started after the king of the Titans- Kronos - was defeated, he was bitter about his defeat, and just as he was about to be cut into pieces and cast to the pit, he laid a curse, are curse to prevent the gods from ever continuing.”

She continued, looking back up to the statue, longing and sadness in her eyes.

“From his position, bleeding out as final strikes were to be made, he began to utter a curse. Perhaps- If they had been quick enough, perhaps if they did not let him begin to utter a word, things might have been different; but as soon as he began to speak, all around him were entranced to listen, as he was still king.”

“The Titan-king Kronos spoke these words in his curse: ‘I curse you!’ the Titan-king spoke.

‘I curse you, and all who you gain as family! You shall hold a curse within you, you may try to sire or bear progeny, but it will not come without price. All those who may be immortal will be weak upon their creation, seeping at your lifeforce, and only through the permanent sacrifice of your own strength, will they begin to gain their own.’

‘And if you dare try to have child with those who do not hold immortality, it shall be even worse. They who are mortal shall crumble in your arms, and the ashes of their existence will haunt you and this world as monsters without thought or feeling, who will never reform once slain. May you feel anguish as I feel now, every time you lose one, never shall you grow indifferent to your children, so that you will feel grief beyond words for every single one.’” The woman finished, looking at them once more.

“These were the final words he spoke before he was cast into the pit, for even in his loss of strength, the curse stays strong, leeching off of the Gods' immortality” She said.

“But- If that's the case- then what of all the minor gods? How did they come to be?” Travis asked, a low croon to his voice, his snake eyes flitting up to the statue nervously, like the child would animate and snatch him up.

“Minor gods? None of the Gods are minor. If you are speaking of generations after the first I would not call them minor, for they were born from great sacrifice. Something that should not be said as a minor deed.” She said, looking at Travis pointedly.

“Well then- What happened after?” Connor asked, looking at his older brother.

“Ah yes, If you do not know of the curse, then you likely do not know what happened after.” She continued.

“Well following the Titan-kings’ defeat, The Kronides pronounced Zeus, the one who freed them from their digestive prison, and their younger brother- King of the Gods”

“Zeus ruled happily for many years, but soon the Kronide felt a great yearning to nurture, to rear, to have children.”

“Zeus was wary of the curse, but the Gods had yet to see its effects, so he went to Metis, a nymph with whom he had proclaimed would be his queen. He loved her greatly, as she was quick of mind and held strategy to wit. When with her, he dreamed of a child they could have together, a Goddess, one as wise as her mother and beholden to her complexion but with his stormy eyes and sometimes his own temperment.”

“As they stayed together, it was soon found that Metis was with child, Zeus was ecstatic, for his wishes for a child may yet come to pass…”

The woman paused, a look of contemplation in her eyes.

“The curse soon became clear however. For metis and Zeus began to lose their strength, Metis had lost her reason and wit, and Zeus had begun to feel such pain that storms raged across the sky, unrelenting to any.”

“Metis, completely blind in pain and without her wits about her, seeked an end to it, and Zeus in his pain, did not notice as she flew into his mouth.” 

“The pain Zeus had soon stopped, and where there was pain, there was anguish, for he had lost both his queen and their possible child.”

“For months he grieved, and as soon as he was no longer grieving, pain was there again. It was not as bad as it was before, merely a headache at first, but over the passing months it grew, it became so bad he begged his siblings to cut his head open, that he may be relieved, but none granted it to him. Eventually he took it to his own hands, using a sharp rock he pierced his skull, and from it emerged not just ichor, but a child in full armor.”

“But the child felt weak in his arms, but it then dawned upon him, a fresh thought, Metis had sacrificed her very existence to allow this child to live, granting the new Goddess her domains.”

“The child grew stronger, and proclaimed herself to be Athena, Goddess of wisdom and strategy. But Zeus, he had a permanent reminder of the cost of siring a child, for the wound on his head did heal, but its scar never faded like others before it.” She ended.

“Thats- intense I wouldn't have thought it'd be that extreme” Travis said.

“Yes, and that is but a single tale, there are others, many without such a good ending.” She said solemnly.

“If that was a good ending, I don't even want to know what qualifies as a bad ending.” Connor added, nodding along.

“Thank you for telling us the tale. But the sun is leaving the sky, and we need to find somewhere to recuperate” Clarisse spoke, walking in front of the two boys to face the woman.

“You are not from here.” She stated, non-questioning.

“If you have no place to stay, I could show you to the Temple of Ares, our patron. It is the right of children to stay in the protection of temples if they have no other safe place to stay. With war against Troy raging, the Gods saw it fit to grant asylum to children, even if they are mortal.” She said.

“Could you give us a moment?” Clarisse asked, before quickly moving the four boys several paces away to discuss.

“We're in the beginning of the Trojan war. I think we should do as she says, after all, their patron is my father, and as much as I hate it, we would be able to get ourselves set up while we try to learn more about the situation.” Clarisse spoke, glancing back at the woman.

“We don't know when in the war we are, we could be at the start, or we could be at the end, we need to know more, but I agree, we need a place to stay first” Pollux finally spoke out, glancing at the setting sun.

In agreement, the group walked back over to the woman.

“We would be grateful if you led us to the temple.” Clarisse said, though somewhat begrudgingly.

The woman motioned for them to follow her, and, walking through the town, they saw many preparing for the night by gathering their children and their firewood. The path soon grew somewhat steep, and they approached a large temple upon a small hill in the town.

The temple was larger than most of the buildings in the town, depictions of spears and swords meeting sculpted against its sides. A committee of vultures waited at the top of the temple, eyeing each of the approaching demigods.

“This is the temple of our patron, you will be able to rest here while on your journey.” The woman spoke, indicating to the temple with her hand.

They gave their thanks to the woman and entered the temple.

Sometime later, unnoticed by the demigods, a blood-red Vulture landed atop the temple.

___________________________________________

Ares was tired. 

He may be the God of war, but it still took its toll, this was far worse than any that had happened while he existed, sure in the past there were worse ones, but he wasn't there, so it did not count.

This war was not glorious or honorable, many of the battles did not do so, it had come to the point that places for refugees were needed, especially for the children who were left behind.

Children should never suffer for the actions of their parents. 

Thus he was not surprised when he felt five children entered one of his temples in Aetolia, it was located near to the lands of Troy, so those seeking asylum would not need to travel too far.

The children had caught his attention however, they did not hold any parental claim upon them, so it was likely they were abandoned, not orphans. 

The outrage that parents would abandon a child, when the Gods themselves could only dream of little ones to raise. They forsook their ability far too easily. 

No matter, they were under his protection now, and thus would be safe for however long they needed reprieve.

Perhaps he could send something to offer them assistance, after all, he wasn't often the first God mortals would turn too when in need.

With the thought decided, Ares formed a Vulture in his hand, wrapping small weapons in a wrap for the Vulture to carry, he sent it off to visit the children.

It wasn't until after the Vulture returned, however, that he caught a scent on it; it was faint, as if only through a short, but recent interaction.

It smelled like his brothers, and himself, however, something was off with it, as if not simply from their own presence.

This should not be possible, not unless it was from their monstrous spawn, or a nature spirits mimicry.

If it was a monster, then he must strike it down. He did not believe that was the case, as there was no monstrous smell to the scent.

But if it was a nature spirit…

Purposefully mimicking a Gods scent was only done to mock their curse, and those who DARED to do so would face divine wrath.

But whatever option was true, he could not allow it to continue festering.

So he sent himself to go to where the Vulture went, perhaps he would even see the children under his protection, but that was secondary.

Now within the mortal town he was patron to, he caught the scents, summoning his spear in hand he followed it, the light of Artemis's moon shining down to the town.

It was not likely it was a monster then, as it would not be given entry into the town, which meant it was likely mimicry.

His suspicions only rose however, as the scents led up to his temple on the hill.

Ares began to stalk forward, his hands readied on his spear, preparing to strike down the one that dared to mimic not just one God, but three.

Approaching the entrance of his temple, he caught movement within, it could be the children, or the one who dared commit blasphemy.

It was only once inside that he saw it, or rather THEM.

five paidiskoi, barely even that, and even still THEY were the ones the scents were coming from. They did not look entirely human either, they had features of the sacred animals of those their scents smelled of.

This must be an illusion, one crafted by the one who was mimicking the scents, it could not be.

His thoughts were quickly interrupted by the girl, she smelled like himself, and she even had his features.

“Who are you! show yourself!” The girl shouted, her boarish eyes locked at the entrance where he was. 

Her wings were flared out in defense, her tail swishing side-to-side and she was holding a crude wooden spear as a weapon.

This was not an illusion.

Quickly, he rushed forward, gathering her in his arms.

“Do not fret, my daughter, you are safe now.” He spoke gently, soft vocalizations calling her to stay with him, as he held her close.

She did not know him, however, that would take her spending some time with him before his calls would hold effect over her. Because of this exact reason, she struggled, trying to leave his hold, he kept her close, however, she would not leave him again, not until she knew completely of the love he held for her.

Now with his daughter in his arms, he brought his attention to the other four children in his temple. They were all sons, two belonging to his brother Hermes, and the other two belonging to his brother Dionysius.

He would need to call them here to retrieve their children, as he knew they would wish to spend the next few weeks alone with their children, so that they could establish a bond. Only then would they present their new children to the other Gods, not without informing them of the situation first of course.

Then there was the matter of their mortality. They would rectify that of course, but perhaps they would raise them as mortals before making them Gods and granting them domains, as then they would be allowed more time raising them.

There was much that needed to be done.