#Hera: but neither Demeter Hestia or I have had a-

[yourcurrentany]

-Leto after giving birth to Apollo-

Artemis: Finally! Congratulations mom, it’s a…Boy?? I wanted a sister. *drops him of the isle*

Leto: ARTEMIS?!

*Leto looks down to see where Apollo has fallen*

-baby Apollo is sitting on a dolphin now, Poseidon is at his side-

Poseidon: I didn’t know that it could rain babies, lucky I was near

Apollo: *😥*

Leto: Poseidon, could you return that baby to me please??-

Poseidon: He’s your son? Then that means…That I’m his uncle! I’m an uncle again!!!

Leto: Yes!! Now, can yo-

Poseidon: Let’s go little one, I’m going to show you our world *takes baby Apollo and leaves*

Leto: NO WAIT!!

Artemis: I think Imma start hating men.

<And that’s how Hera found out that Leto could gave birth>

[sabrinathepolytheist]

Do you have to follow ancient tradition to be an Hellenic Polytheist?

Hello! Welcome to my very first official passion blog post! I hope you enjoy reading it and do let me know what you think! <3

I would like to start right off the bat and say that Hellenism, otherwise known as Hellenic Polytheism, can be a very vast topic to explore, and even with the depth that I provide in this post, I don't think I will ever be able to convey everything correctly. It is also important to note that this post is mostly theoretical, and philosophical in nature. My sources you may ask? Well, that's just it, my sources are the many things I have read, and learned over the past year about being a Hellenist. I cannot provide a direct source to what I know as to me it is now common knowledge.

I will go ahead and say that I do not represent the entirety of the community who worships these gods. I am just one person, and this post and my blog is just my perspective on our shared spirituality. I don't know everything, and frankly, I am sure neither do you, dear reader. Let us all remember a remarkable quite by Socrates;

"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing" - Socrates

This post will discuss the following:

A general definition of what a Hellenic Polytheist is.

A description of what ancient traditions and customs were like.

How ancient tradition, and customs can change to accommodate our modern era

Do you have to practice ancient tradition to be considered a Hellenic Polytheist?

What is a Hellenic Polytheist?

To answer this question simply, an Hellenic Polytheist is a individual who practices Hellenism - the ancient Greek religion. A Hellenic Polytheist simply believes in the gods of Greece as being the divine powers over the universe itself. One who is not familiar with these gods may know their names from just pure happenstance. Their names consist of; Zeus, Hera, Apollon, Artemis, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Hermes, Athena, Dionysus, Poseidon, Demeter, and last but certainly never least, Hestia. Yet, there are countless of other gods, daemons, heroes, titans, and primordials that fall into the pantheon of the Greek gods. However, some Hellenist only worship a handful of gods, or all the gods, or just primordials, or perhaps just titians, and some even worship only one of the gods. The range of gods that you worship in Hellenism can vary from person to person, just as it varied from city to city in ancient times. Interestingly enough, Hellenism even has an element of animism to it.

A great example would be the many personified deities the Greeks had. Thanatos - the personification of death, and Hypnos - the personification of sleep, are just the tip of the iceberg when talking about personified deities. Another example of animism in Hellenism, would be the many nymphs whom are believed to frolic around in the forests, seas, rivers, and more. Both personified deities, and nymphs seem to be powers whom encompass the human condition, or nature itself. Mother Gaia is another example, whom is seen as mother nature, or the earth herself in some views.

What did ancient tradition look like?

What about the tradition behind the worship of these gods? Well in traditional Hellenism, there were structures in place that would determine if you were ready to approach the gods in worship. Typically, in ancient Hellenic tradition one would have to rid themselves of any "Miasma" or otherwise known as "spiritual dirtiness" before ever approaching the gods for worship or prayer. The concept of Miasma is not to be confused with the Christian concept of "sin", rather Miasma was seen as a spiritual fifth, often acquired by being among the dead - this included being in the presence of blood, death, illnesses, or fighting in a war. Some claim that Miasma can also come from sexual acts. With Miasma being such a feared thing in ancient times, purification became an essential part to the practice.

When addressing the gods after a purification of Miasma was completed, one would then commence in ritual, or prayer to the gods. Most often the first and last prayer of the ritual was given to Hestia - the goddess of the hearth and home. It was believed that Hestia was the center of the home, and without her fire burning within the home, the home would surly parish. Of course, a home does not have to be a building, it could also be a family, or a group of people you are close with. Most often after addressing and giving to Hestia, libations would then be poured to other gods.

Libations where an essential part of ancient Hellenic practice, and they were often the only type of offering given to the gods by some. For some, Hellenism is not Hellenism without the offering of libations. Libations were poured liquids. The liquids would consist of water, or wine most often. It was said that libations poured to the gods should not be drank, but instead poured into the ground to return the liquid to the gods. After all you offered the liquid to the gods, it is technically now theirs.

There were likely many other types of offerings given to the gods in ancient times. In fact, some have excavated votive offerings to the gods that were buried in the ground. There is so-so-so much more that goes into ancient Hellenic practice, however, I cannot go through them all here, as that would literally require me to write a book. Goodness, even the customs, and ancient traditions are a huge mouthful to explain - this is just the very tip of the iceberg.

How ancient tradition, and customs can change to accommodate our modern era

One might say that the ancient tradition never changed and will never change. However, is that really the case? How could it be? Everything changes at some point, right? Well, it depends on who you ask really. Re-constructionists (Recons) of the ancient Hellenic practice would argue that one should practice the exact way that the ancients practiced the tradition. The thing is this is a very hard thing to replicate to full accuracy in the modern day. There are people out there who have tried to replicate an ancient ritual to the gods to an absolute spitting-image. The problem? They still had to substitute items into the ritual because they simply didn't have access to the items that the ancients used for their honorings. So even Recons must stray away from tradition.

Revivalists are more lenient and would tell you to take what vibes with you and leave what doesn't vibe with you (for the most part). A revivalist is more likely to accept the fact we live in modern times, and our world is modernized, and because of this, we can honor the gods in modernized ways, as we see fit, so long as we remain respectful of the gods. The practice is modernized, but the gods are still ancient.

Other worshipers of the Greek gods may not even identify as Hellenists, and may be eclectic Witches, or Neo-pagans. This goes to show that Hellenism - the tradition, isn't what connects you to the gods. What connects you to the gods, is in fact - well, you! Yes, you have the ability to connect to the gods just as you are now.

In our modern world, it can be hard to cling to the past. This is why recons may be annoyed with revivalists, or Neo-pagans. Recons tend to have a harder time accepting the modernization of ancient practices, while revivalists, and other groups do not have this issue (again for the most part). A thing we must realize is, change is inevitable. Even the physical planet we live on itself has morphed its shape with tectonic movements countless times. The seasons too, are a great example of change. Everything goes through changes and phases. The sooner we take note of this the happier we will all be.

Do you have to practice ancient tradition to be considered a Hellenic Polytheist?

I must reveal for those who are concerned that I am not a Re-constructionist, although I am to a slight degree, I am mostly a revivalist. You could even consider me to be a hybrid; a Recon-Revivalist. it is my personal belief that tradition is only secondary to divine relationship and communication. You do not have to stress about performing an ancient ritual to absolute perfection in order to have a connection to the gods. To me, Hellenism is about the gods, and how you connect with them. In ancient times there would be communal rituals and cleansings of miasma, that multitudes of people would be able to participate as well as city-wide festival celebrations, and worship rituals. These people were capable of honoring the gods in the same environment, so it is no shock that they would have similar ways of worship to each other.

However, we live in a modern world, and we are modern people. While ancient tradition provides a much needed insight into the way the ancients went about worshiping their gods, and I do think it is only respectful that one would at least consider trying to do worship the way the ancients would have conducted it, that doesn't make it the end all be all for what Hellenism is. Think about the vast amount of philosophers, and philosophical wisdoms, and ideas passed down from the ancients. Not a single one of them thought about Hellenism, or the gods in the exact same way (to my knowledge). Due to this, we can come to realize that philosophical thinking is not something limited to the ancients. Everyone can think about life philosophically and come to see what they truly believe about themselves and about the world.

So, do I have a personal philosophy? Well, yes, but I would say as I learn, and grow myself, it can change as time goes on. I would say I have a tendency to take things from many different ancient philosophers. For example, I agree with Sallustius that the gods are pure good and are never the cause of unrest and heartache in our lives. That said, there are also many other things I believe in that are not of ancient context. I believe that true Hellenism in the modern day is most easily experienced in the eyes of the individual. In ancient times it was a communal tradition, now days it is harder to do so, and because of this it is much easier to be a solitary Hellenist rather than a Hellenist that is a part of a community. Not many of us have local temples to our gods, and that is a valid and real thing to understand. Our homes are our temples now.

I know the idea of straying away from strict ancient tradition may put some individuals off from my blog. However, I am willing to take that risk in order to be able to provide a safe place for fellow Hellenists to gather and read my blog; a blog written from the hands and mind of a Hellenic polytheist, for the eyes of other Hellenic Polytheists, or aspiring ones.

Conclusion - Do you need to practice ancient tradition?

So, in closing, to answer the question each and every one of you have been waiting for; no, you do not have to practice ancient tradition to be an Hellenic Polytheist. Just do you, stop batting around the thoughts and opinions of a million other people in your head, and get up, walk to your alter(s), and just pray. Connect with the gods, speak with the gods, grow a relationship with them. This is true Hellenism in my eyes. The relationship that you have with one or more of the gods is priceless, and it is something no human being could ever take away from you. So, cherish that relationship. Of course, this view could be seen as subjective, and that's okay, people deserve to think what they wish, but this will not change my personal viewpoint.

Above all respect each other's practices. A hardcore re-constructionist, and a more lenient revivalist are one in that when we consider that they worship the same gods. Neither of these groups should be viewed as any less of a Hellenic Polytheist either. We must learn to co-exist with one another without getting into arguments. Arguments only lead to a bad situation for each party involved. So, to settle this dispute, if at all possible, perhaps recons could be more lenient and accepting of revivalists and their more modernized traditions, and revivalists could perhaps explore parts of ancient tradition do resonate with their practice and incorporate those parts of ancient practice into their own.

I personally do find it important to consider ancient ways of practice when starting out your path, as the last thing we want to end up doing is appropriating a culture - that would be a no-no. That stated, I do also feel it is completely valid if one wishes to stray a bit away from tradition. Do you like offering libations? Yes? Good for you! Own it, it's your practice. Say you don't enjoy giving libations due to the possible inconvenience of having to return the liquid to the earth, or maybe you do not like that you can't consume the liquid offered to the Chthonic gods according to tradition. That's A-okay. You don't have to do libations, you can simply offer votive offerings like stones, rocks, crystals, anything physical really. Perhaps devotionals are more your speed. Good! Write a song, or a poem, or a story in honor of the gods and offer that work to them.

Whatever you are doing, you are doing it for you. You aren't doing it for anyone else but you. So, understand, especially those new to Hellenic Polytheism, that when I say it is okay to stray from tradition, that it is absolutely okay. Individual practice is individual practice, and it is very sacred to the individual, and no one can tell you how to do your individual practice. Don't listen to the people who try to control your practice for you. There is no way you can do your own personal practice wrong. The only way to go with your own practice is up.

-Sabrina the Polytheist

Thank you all for reading! If you wish to learn more about Hellenism, or perhaps start learning about Hellenism, here are some sources that I would recommend:

Hellenic Polytheism : Household Worship by Labrys https://www.amazon.com/Hellenic-Polytheism-Household-Worship-1/dp/1503121887/ref=sr_1_1?crid=UVH9MRG9RL5K&keywords=hellenic+polytheism+household+worship&qid=1691612186&sprefix=%2Caps%2C299&sr=8-1 (This is a stable in the Hellenic Polytheist community, this book tells you in detail how ancient tradition was conducted in the home: can be found on Amazon for $14.00 USD!)

https://www.theoi.com/ (A site to learn about the many gods of the Hellenic pantheon, as well as to read up on myths)

https://hellenicfaith.com/ (This site showcases a multitude of information about ancient tradition, philosophy, and worldviews)

Pic the Pagan on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQmVTgvWkXrbdod_Ni1XFUw (is a well-known Hellenic Polytheist content creator, he creates short form V-log style videos that are very insightful, I do recommend you check him out).

[cephalopod-celabrator]

Which major Greek gods I think you least want to get on the bad side of:

They will be rated on a scale of 1 to 10 based on how easily provoked they are, how effective they are at getting revenge, and how likely they are to take your loved ones as casualties. 0 means you're fine, 10 means that you are in fact fucked

Zeus: 8/10 Now Zeus is one of the most easily provoked, because in order for him to endanger your life all you need to do is be attractive or be near someone attractive. If he dislikes you he'll kill you and if he likes you his wife will kill you. Neither of them are known for being precise with their wrath, so you're family, especially any child had with Zeus, are going to be in for it too. The only reason he's not higher is because he might, might, protect you from Hera and he doesn't really have the attention span or precision to make sure that he finishes the job if he tries to kill you Poseidon: 8/10 The lord of the ocean is lest lustful than his lil bro, a low bar, but he's still pretty easy to provoke. He's also not very good at making sure the job gets done, but he is probably the most indiscriminate with his wrath. He'll endanger your friends, your family, everyone near you, and/or your city if he feels like it. Hades: 5/10 Now Hades is pretty hard to piss off, all things considered. Don't go out of your way to defy him, his wife, or the natural order of death and you'll be fine. The only reason he's not at like a 2 is because if you do cross him or his wife Persephone, you are so spectacularly fucked. He might not do anything to you in life but once you shuffle off that mortal coil oh boy. Enjoy being physically and psychologically tortured for literal eternity. Hestia: 0/10 Okay, you have to try like crazy hard to piss of Hestia. It takes monumental stupidity and even if you do, probably the worse she'll do is refuse to ever bless you again. But you should still be ashamed of yourself. Hera: 6.5/10 She has more self-control than her husband and if you're careful you can avoid breaking any of her rules, but if you catch his eye then I'm sorry. Your family will likely be in danger if you draw her ire, and you don't have great chances of survival but it's not impossible. Demeter: 5/10 As far as gods go she's one of the more laid back ones, except when it comes to her daughter. I mean, mess with her nymphs or what have you and your ass is dead, but you'd have to be pretty stupid to draw her attention. The only reason she's not lower is that she causes starvation and hypothermia through the winter she brings each year, but there's not much you can do about that. Athena: 6.5/10 It depends on the interpretation of her but she usually won't smite people unless they directly challenge her or whatnot, but she's still got a bit of a temper on her. And it should be self-explanatory as to why making an enemy of the goddess of strategy and war is not a good idea Hermes: 2/10 I honestly can't think of any myths about the wrath of Hermes, but he still seems like a guy who can be dangerous if you end up on the wrong side of him Ares: 5/10 You'd think the god of carnage and war would be higher, but you're main concern with him is if you end up on the battlefield with him or if you directly aggress against him or those close to him. Dionysus: 6/10 I'd say he falls about middle of the road when it comes to the touchiness of gods, but I really wouldn't recommend pissing off the god of madness. I was going to give him a lower score then remembered the herd of murderous maniac women who follow him, so. Aphrodite: 8/10 Aphrodite is probably the easiest god to piss off because she will take anything as an insult and might randomly decide that you need to die so your partner can get with someone else or something. She's sloppy about her work too, which both means that you have relatively good chances of escaping her wrath and that everyone around you is likely to get caught up in it Hephaestus: 2/10 I mean, he mostly targets his anger at other gods who have wronged him, but I could see a mortal ending up as collateral of some scheme of his. Mostly the dude wants to be left alone

Apollo: 10/10 Yeah, this dude has one of the highest bodycounts of any Olympian, both in terms of murders and hook-ups. And quite a few combinations of both. He's almost hornier than Zeus and less likely to discrimenate between men and women, but his lovers have a slightly higher survival rate. He's pretty easy to piss off and when you do get on his bad side, you're unlikely to find a proportionate response. He will unleash plague, disaster, and/or a rain of arrows on anyone who he doesn't like the vibe of. Artemis: 9.5/10 Now you could argue that Apollo and her should switch ratings, but I think the twins are probably the deadliest gods out there. Artemis is also quite easy to piss off and if you don't give the proper offerings or disrespect her, she will show you that the bow isn't decorative or maybe send wild animals to rip you apart. You'll be lucky if she stops at you though, because your kids or really anyone in the same country as you are a potential casualty. I would say out of all the gods, Artemis is the least likely to fail to kill someone she's decided needs to be six feet under. She doesn't miss. And if you hit on her, you've basically just signed your own death warrant.

[doevademe]

Who among the gods actually love their children? If you had to classify each of them according to their relationship with their kids (and when I say kids I mean the protagonists, like for Zeus, I would say just look to his relationship with Talia or jason cause he got a lot of bastards, that bastard).

Tbh, I think only Hades gets close to being a loving parent to Nico. But it s been years and I m afraid this judgement has been compromised over years of headcanoning.

Okay, I spent some time thinking about it so... here

I tried to put every god that has a demigod kid in PJO and HoO.

Some notes below the Read More:

Hades is top tier, but he's still very flawed. His comment about wishing Bianca had survived instead of Nico is still an asshole moment and a stain in his otherwise spotless record as a parent.

Hecate is up there because she is there for her children, but lets them choose their path.

The two placements that pain me the most are Apollo and Ares, because this is just PJO/HoO/ToA canon, where they are objectively bad parents, while in actual mythology they rank among the best of them.

Poseidon is bottom of his tier and I almost put him in the tier below, because while he loves Percy as his son, it never feels like he loves him as a person. He loves that he's powerful, he loves that he's his son, but never seems that interested in Percy beyond that.

We don't see Demeter actually parent her demigod kids, but I assume it's similar to how she treats Nico and Persephone so... it fits.

I'm counting Hera solely because of her messed up patronage of Jason. In some ways, Jason feels more hers than Zeus's. She's still a shit parent, and poor Jason has to die before she realizes that he got the short end of the stick (and then shifts all the blame to Zeus).

Hypnos, Nike and Hebe have demigod kids. Nike and Hypnos have appeared in the canon. Neither mentions their children.

Athena is a double whammy. She thinks her children should be like her, do her bidding and reach greatness, but she also only seems to care about them when they are useful (Annabeth has siblings, not that Athena cares).

Zeus escapes being abusive by a smidge. Him trying to kill Thalia in TTC might push him over the edge for some, but he's never enough of a parent to his kids to actually call him abusive. He still expects them to be at his beck and call and give him glory, though.

Hestia is the ultimate mom. I take no comments on that front.

Artemis treats her Hunters like a mix between companions and (wo)manservants than her kids. She may care for them to some extent, but she's definitely not a parent to any of them

[mephistophelita]

((((If the picture gets 5 ❤ , I will draw the next fairy.))))) I had the idea to draw Winx in the form of Greek goddesses. And the first, of course, was Bloom, the dragon Fire fairy. In Greek mythology, Hestia, who is the sister of Zeus, Hera, Demeter, Hades and Poseidon, is primarily associated with fire. And the sphere of influence is the family hearth and the sacrificial fire.

Unlike other gods and goddesses, she was not involved in scandals and intrigues (if you know what I mean). The gods Poseidon and Apollo both fell in love with Hestia and vied for her hand in marriage. But Hestia would have neither of them, and went to Zeus instead, and swore a great oath, that she would remain a virgin for all time and never marry.

She was depicted as a young, meek girl, modestly and simply dressed. She can be recognized by a long peplos covering her legs and the whole figure and a veil or bandage on her head. In her hand, the goddess held a flowering branch of vitex, a sacrificial vessel, a lamp, a torch or a staff.(I have depicted some of her attributes)

[eolewyn1010]

Reading Percy Jackson TLT was an ordeal for me 3 - Mythology

And here we reach the point where you can argue that this book was written for 12-year-old kids, not for me - someone who read this book for the first time in their late 20s and after studying both Classical Archaeology and History with a focus on Ancient History. And I will counter that while I don't mind reinventing old myths in new contexts, Riordan consistently leaves me with the impression that he just hasn't done his research and keeps pulling stuff out of his ass in The Lightning Thief. The whole treatment of mythology, for all he references specific myths, just winds up terribly inconsistent. And the thing is: I have read better Fantasy at 12 years old that holds up when I re-read it today. By people who made significantly less money and fame with it. Riordan's world does not hold up. Granted, the story around Pan's death making no sense because it's ripped from its lingual context may be a tad niche. But, for another tiny case example, claiming Romeo & Juliet, a couple of suicidal teenagers, are cozy Valentine's imagery does not bode well for Riordan's relationship to source material.

Goddesses whomst?

I'm not on board with his treatment of Greek goddesses in comparison with his treatment of the male gods. Once again, there's no consistency to it. Cue virgin goddesses? Artemis being a virgin goddess is a whole deal. There's an empty honorary hut for her at Camp Half-Blood, empty because she doesn't have any children of her own. Why would a goddess of the hunt and the wilderness care for a hut anyway? All of her myths play out in the forests and open landscapes. An empty hut? That doesn't gel with her mythological character at all. Neither does the only honorary hut for Hera. Why wouldn't Hera have demigod children? "She can't commit adultery; she's the goddess of marriage"? Zeus cheats on her nonstop! Is that just sexist? Possibly not, as Aphrodite gets to cheat on her husband on the regular and pops out kids on the side. But the argument of Aphrodite doing this canonically in her myths falls flat - because there are also myths out there in which Dionysos fathered the Charites on Hera. She is characterized as jealous, imperious, and vindictive. No one ever said Hera is faithful. Few gods are.

You know what god couple is notoriously faithful to each other? Hades and Persephone. I know for a fact that a later protagonist is a half-human son of Hades, so my take is that Riordan cherry-picks the parts of mythology he personally likes and just ignores the rest.

Case in point: He makes such a big point out of Hera's fidelity and Artemis' virginity... and then there's Athena. I won't mention Hestia here because Riordan didn't mention her so far, but Athena, who's mythologically even more famously a virgin goddess than Artemis (Artemis at least has the somewhat ambiguous connection with Orion and her close bonds to her huntresses that can be read as romantic, but mythological Athena is firmly on the eternal single trip). Except that doesn't fit Riordan's notion, so he conveniently ignores it without any explanation. There is zero attempt to make this fit! No "Erichthonios was actually her biological son instead of adopted, so yeah, she always had kids", nothing. She's just randomly the mother of Annabeth, and a few others. And George Washington. I almost spat out my tea.

Then again, I don't really care for the entire hut system anyway. Because it never explains what they do with the children of the lesser gods. Twelve huts. Uh-huh. Except every deity besides the Big Three is free to make children with whomever. So. Where do they put these? Eh, who cares. Only the children of the Big Three have significant powers, amirite. The rest are weaklings. Sure.

Excuse me? "A child of Aphrodite's or Demeter's is not likely to be very powerful" - ex-fucking-cuse me?? Both Aphrodite and Demeter are mythologically capable of kicking Zeus around like a puppet. The myth that is ostensibly about Hades and Persephone is actually all about the power struggle between Zeus, who gave Demeter's daughter away, and Demeter, who wants her daughter back. And Zeus is the one who has to give in. Because Demeter was about to kill the entire world! Her kids, harmless little flower children who don't even get credited with making strawberries grow? Not likely. This tastes so badly like sexism. Because I can't imagine any reason for Riordan to play down Demeter's power other than "nature stuff is flowers, flowers are girly, and girly is lame". She is literally all on earth that grows!

And Aphrodite? As a daughter of Uranos, she isn't even of Zeus' generation of gods. She is the one of the Olympians who is technically of the generation of the Titans. Zeus ain't telling her shit. She doesn't respect the marriage he arranged for her, she has gods fall in love with mortals all over the place, he was too afraid of her wrath to turn her down for the golden apple of Discord. Remember that little tidbit, that led to the Trojan War? And speaking of the Trojan War, there was that episode when Aphrodite gave Hera seductive power so as to distract Zeus. Zeus also asks her for help when he wants to seduce some unsuspecting human woman. The problem with Aphrodite is that, historically speaking, her myths are a stand-in for the power women were said to have over men, manipulating them into complying with their wishes. And somehow, this take manages to come across less sexist than Riordan's. Because it gives Aphrodite, love, and women power and agenda. Riordan? Yeah, according to him, Aphrodite and her children are useless and vain, and sit around all day looking into mirrors. As a goddess of love and beauty and passion, her domain, again, is of a culturally feminine connotation, and Riordan has interestingly not mentioned her early depictions as a Spartan goddess of war seems to look down on this domain - when most of her myths circle around how fucking dangerous it is that someone has all the power in the world to follow her petty, vengeful, fickle impulses. Her kids could be potentially very interesting - they could hold power over human emotions. But nah, they have make-up and... Gucci handbags? How can they afford those?? Does being a child of Aphrodite come with natural wealth?

You win some, you lose some

See, I don't get Riordan's version of Dionysos. He not only is inexplicably ugly, short and pudgy when neither the youth nor the adult depiction of him are shown to look like that; Riordan also throws a ton of goat imagery in there that might make a little sense with the satyrs. It makes none for Dionysos. Why would he be a goat? Because of the horns? Nah, honey, that's not how it works. Satyrs may belong to Dionysos' entourage, but the god who could have features of a goat is Pan. Dionysos is not Pan, and he's not Silenos either. Why does he make goat noises? There must have been a serious mix-up. The goat aspects, the short, pudgy build, the description of his face; all of that reads like either satyrs or sileni.

A part of the book I mostly genuinely enjoyed (at least once it got past the weirdly modernized entry area - a lobby with an elevator? Airport security? Oh, please, fuck off) was the Underworld. The vast part of it is fascinating and builds genuine tension. So I'm at a loss when both Charon and Hades suddenly whine about not having enough money these days. Just why. Would gods. Care for money?? Does Hades have to rent construction machines to expand the Underworld? Does Charon have to pay for human-made suits? Can he not just make himself look however he wants? Again, I don't get it.

I also don't get the part where Chiron goes: "Kronos only cared about your kind as appetizers or sources of easy pleasure." Yeah... as opposed to Zeus and Poseidon, who'd never abuse humans for their pleasure, right? The cherry-picking. It hurts. And the straw that breaks the camel's back is Riordan's Medusa.

Misuse of Medusa Myths

The part about Medusa actually managed to send me into a rage. Riordan failed to choose a version of the myth when making a choice would have been really good. Using both versions of the myth which have developed independently from each other has a result with a really bitter aftertaste. Medusa as Poseidon's ex-girlfriend? The episode in Athena's temple is infamously a story of rape. The whole point of that relatively late myth (it was written by Ovid, an early-empire Roman) was a cruel injustice of gods against mortals. It would have been better if Riordan had left her out entirely. She was supremely unimportant to the plot; it would have helped Poseidon's image not to mention her. Especially since the myth doesn't make sense the way Riordan throws it together with the earlier Medusa that actually has some agenda: He mentions that she has two sisters. So. The three Gorgon sisters were a thing? Then why is the version which ended with Medusa turned into a Gorgon over the whole raped-in-the-temple shenanigans also a thing?

Syncretism does not work that way

Riordan's treatment of Greek-to-Roman deity relationships was pretty much my first red flag in the book. Because he basically explains it as: Poseidon is Neptune, Zeus is Jupiter, Athena is Minerva, and so on. Which, y'know. Is now how syncretism works. The Romans inherited a ton of Etruscan gods way before they went and conquered Greece and assimilated all of their myths, mashing them together with their vaguely corresponding deities and smoothing over anything that didn't fit. Which was a lot. According to Riordan, it seems it was always the same Pantheon. He never mentions the shifts in characterizations and domains syncretism would have brought with itself.

Powers of Poseidon's Progeny

I have zero idea what to do with the powers the demigods inherit from their parents. They are so incredibly plot-convenient. One time, Percy has to get drenched in water to activate his self-healing; another time, he doesn't get wet at all when he dives into a river. He randomly knows the date and time when coming up from the underworld via the sea - what, does Poseidon's DNA come with an ingrained clock? Would have been nice to have at the Lotus-eater Casino. One time, they say he takes naturally to the water; another, he just... makes fire under the surface. Whatever?

He also breaks the laws of physics, by the way. There's this: "I'd have broken my spine if I hadn't hit the soft sand of a dune" - I challenge Riordan to throw himself down on a pile of sand with a lot of momentum and then tell me how soft it was. Sand isn't fluffy or elastic. It's a ton of tiny rocks. And it behaves like rocks. There is zero give. But it's not like Percy is the only one; the laws of physics only apply to mere mortals, I guess. Annabeth during the boat stunt cannot only do highly complicated calculations regarding physics in her head in nano-seconds, she can apparently also watch the world around her in slow motion while the boat she's sitting in is hurled in high-speed against a gate. Her maths only make sense if she has hyper-perception. Then again, so does Percy, apparently, because he calmly observes that Annabeth was right with her calculations - while the two of them are flying through the air. Neat. More exposition on those absurdly heightened senses?

Where does that even come from?

For as much as I liked the part in the Underworld, it still has a ton of "huh?" moments for me. Like Percy randomly mentioning that he imagined Cerberos as a very specific, modern dog breed? But nah, he's actually a different, highly specific, also modern breed. Why would he.

Annabeth thinks Hades is "treacherous, heartless, and greedy" - how did she get that impression? Nothing in his myths points that way. He's more of the stern, dutiful variety, if you ask the Ancient Greeks. Heartless, that may be a valid interpretion. Treacherous? Sounds more like the Disney version. Or highly Christianized Satan imagery. Greedy? For what, exactly?

"Hades was the only god down here [in the Underworld] that mattered." Uh. Yeah, so. For someone who knows his mythology, Percy has apparently never heard of other chthonic deities. He even mentions Persephone! He even meets Charon! He's met the Erinyes, several times! But they don't matter? Does Thanatos matter, Gaia, Melinoë, Hecate? Zagreus? Dionysos in his Orphic cult? This is just dumb. The Underworld was always a collective effort project.

Persephone, "appeasing her husband's temper"? He hardly even has a temper to speak of in the myths! The only things that mythologically pissed him off was some idiot trying to abduct his wife, and some other idiot mistreating his co-deity Thanatos. Persephone has zero precedence for appeasing Hades. And making her out as that gentle, placating influence tastes like sexism again. Has Riordan never even read far enough to get to "the Mistress"? To "dread Persephone"? She's the Queen of the Dead, my dude; the euphemisms were not genuine titles of a lil' softie, she was called the friendlier names because people were frightened to invoke her.

And for stuff outside the Underworld: Annabeth explaining her arachnophobia with Athena's conflict with Arachne?? What? How does that work? Athena doesn't fear Arachne; she's far above her. But Athena's children are... apparently vulnerable to every spider on earth. Every. Single. Species. Is dangerous to them. Not matter how small and non-venomous. No, it doesn't make sense. Camp Half-Blood is mostly nature and huts among forest and fields; are you telling me there is not a single spider there? I also just don't like the attempt to rationalize a phobia with "there's bad blood between my family and that of [insert object of phobia here]". It has a smack of "at least she has a valid reason for her phobia!" Which, y'know. Is just shitty to people with phobias IRL. Nevermind that making up a story of that "we have ancestral beef" kind is historically an excuse for racism.

[somereaderinblue]

EXTRA NOTES:

These brainworms aren’t leaving so I’m sharing them.

Ares

Some fans have jokingly pointed out how Zeus decided that the best way to challenge Athena, Goddess of Wisdom, is through a game of wits, logic & debate. Which makes the stakes a lot higher when Ares is in her place since he’s more straightforward & physical. However, just like the OG, this song shows us his character development. 

He knows the odds are against him, but he’s the God of Courage & he shows actual courage + honour by playing according to the rules: convincing over punching. Plus, you have to remember that he embodies the ugliness of war, which includes loss. Rather than accept the loss he should’ve been desensitised to like the rest of his peers, it’s now his driving force through GG to ensure Telemachus, Penelope & Odysseus don’t have to experience it.

Artemis

Like Apollo, she’s got no personal grudge against Penelope for the Trojan War or anything else. She also knows that one of Ares’s positive qualities is that he doesn’t mistreat women. Plus, both of them know that sirens don’t ask to live the way they do the same way humans don’t ask to breathe oxygen. That’s just the way it is. Thus, it’s fitting that she’s Level I.

Hestia

As Goddess of the Hearth, she values family bonds, blood-related or otherwise. She saw how close-knit Penelope was with her crew which makes the inevitable betrayal hurt all the more. But as Ares pointed out, Penelope still has a family & home waiting for her. After everything she’s suffered, she of all people deserves peace & domesticity. 

Dionysus

Ngl, I struggled with understanding him the most. What I know is that he’s mainly the God of Pleasure, so ig that means he’d dislike misery. And well, if anyone’s miserable rn it’s Odypen. He believes neither would be like that had Penelope not messed up during the Cyclops in the first place.

Also he’s not 100% sober, he’s mostly there for the drama & you cannot tell me none of the gods would pass up a chance to watch big tough Ares squirm.

Athena

If this was an animatic, her entrance is when Quick Thought’s activated instead of shattered, her calm contrasting Ares’s heated sternness. She also passive-aggressively calls him predictable, hinting at her confidence.

Her points are valid, blunt & harsh; calling out how Penelope’s wits failed her when her luck ran out, and by extension, Ares’s own shortcomings. She thinks she has the upper hand.

BUT! This Athena didn’t undergo the character development her canon counterpart did. So she doesn’t consider emotions. What’s more, she doesn’t consider that said emotions would be tied to connection, & as Ares demonstrates, he very much cares for Telemachus and Penelope. 

She’s grudgingly impressed that wow, Ares rlly is using more words than fists/spears & that he’s fighting for the positive aspects of battle (protection, loyalty & camaraderie) that she embodies. So she gracefully concedes. 

Also, if we follow the canon plot, Penelope will definitely make brains bleed in the end.

Demeter

Empathy is part of Ares’s growth & it’s demonstrated with Demeter. When you think of agriculture, you think of farmers & hard workers. So he tries to hype up Penelope along those lines. But what truly convinces her is motherhood. Both of them are mothers who’d move heaven & earth to see their child again, both have to suffer separation from their child. But Penelope’s separation lasted way more than 6 months & she lacks the luxury of immortality.

Hera

Unlike Zeus & Athena, keep in mind that Ares is the unfavourite. Of course Hera would be pissed & considering her marriage to Zeus, immediately jump to the (incorrect) conclusion that Ares is out to get her.

In my imaginary animatic, I imagine her summoning a GIANT peacock of pure divine power swooping down to incinerate Ares in the finale. Then flashback: Ares’s animal divine form looming over Penelope & a newborn Telemachus. Maybe for poetic irony, it’s more vulture-esque; a bird of death meeting new life. The camera is angled so we see more of his face, how neither helmet nor scars can hide how humane he looks in that moment.

Then present: Ares isn’t just shielding himself, he’s actively trying to power through it like Athena in @anniflamma’s animatic. We see a boar’s bulk & tusks, then a vulture, a writhing snake, maybe a dog.

He’s so close now. Hera flinches ever so slightly, expecting him to be rough, demanding, to maybe lash out after centuries of her mistreatment towards him-

Instead, he clutches her skirt, on his knees, barely able to remain upright. His armour, helmet & spear are gone, he’s utterly beaten and prideful Ares uses his last breath to beg for Penelope's release once more. No threats, no outrage, just sincere desperation.

Maybe Hera looks at him and sees someone who was a child once.

Maybe Hera looks at him and finally sees someone who is her child.

Warrior!Penelope God Games

After writing Odysseus's Challenge, I was still on a creative high & decided to do this too. NOTE: The swaps between gods were taken from @too-much-flynnolium’s art.

[ARES]

Mother, God Queen, rarely do I ask for favours

Now, I'm kneeling on your floor

With hopes to save a friendship

With one who's a prisoner far from home

Penelope

[HERA]

Divine intervention, so that is your wish?

To untie apprehensions that were placed on that Greek?

You are braving such dangers for a girl full of shame

But if she's worth the risk of going under

Why not make it a game?

Convince each of them that she ought to be released

And I'll release her

[ARES]

Who's them?

[HERA]

Artemis! Hestia!

Dionysus! Athena!

Demeter! Or me

What do you say?

[ARTEMIS]

Sure.

[HESTIA]

Very well.

[DIONYSUS]

Hic!

[ATHENA]

Alright.

[DEMETER]

Interesting.

[ARES]

Bring it.

[ARTEMIS]

You all know I'm a fan of nature and all

So with so many sirens gone

I think Penny's in the wrong

[ARES]

They had planned to do their worst

All she did was reimburse them

Now they'll tread with caution first

To live another day and sing even more verse!

[ARTEMIS]

Good point, release her.

[HESTIA]

Trust is not wasted, it’s forged

Why should I give her my support?

She turned her back on her cohort

[ARES]

Did you forget they failed to listen?

She was betrayed and now imprisoned

But if you make the right decision

She can still have a future with those who miss her!

[HESTIA]

Fine, release her.

[DIONYSUS]

Your little high and mighty Penelope

Claims to love another, but keeps him chained to a broken heart

[ARES]

She was busy fighting

[DIONYSUS]

More like busy spiting the cyclops

Let her feel the pain that the others feel and rot

[ARES]

Wait!

You must reconsider this!

[ATHENA]

Really now, Ares, no new tricks?

[ARES]

Athena!

[ATHENA]

What kind of so-called fighter holds back her power

Just lets her friends get devoured?

She couldn’t fight Scylla, but didn’t even try to outwit her

Hides with naught but a sword to get the job done

Tries to handle things upfront

Dim-witted and weak like her son

[ARES]

Hold your tongue now, her son's my friend!

And tell that drunkard that all kinds of hurts can mend

You want more mind games? Then set her free

To get back to her homestead, she'll make everyone’s brains bleed!

[ATHENA & DIONYSUS]

Then release her.

[DEMETER]

So many talents, so many tales

Give me one good reason why yours should prevail

[ARES]

She's got the hands of a weaver!

[DEMETER]

Dig deeper

[ARES]

She's pretty skilled with words!

[DEMETER]

You can do better than that!

[ARES]

She's very sassy…?

[DEMETER]

Eh

[ARES]

Never once does she give up on her child.

[DEMETER]

Release her.

[ARES]

I’ve played your game and won! Release her.

[HERA]

You dare to defy me? To give me more shame?

No one beats me, no one wins my game!

Marriage, bring her through the wringer

Show her I'm the judgement call

The one who makes the final call!

.

.

.

.

[ATHENA]

Is he dead?

.

.

.

Penelope had told Ares that for mothers, childbirth in itself was a difficult battle and the parenthood that came after a race with no finish line in sight. Personally, Ares would’ve likened it to war. If family had truly been something as linear as a race then surely Hermes would be on their father’s throne by now.

She placed her spawn in his arms. Said spawn miraculously didn’t squirm or squall against his battle-hardened muscles and cold gauntlets. 

“His name is Telemachus.” Far from battle. The irony wasn’t lost on anyone. Then again, considering how eerily squishy the infant was, perhaps the name was fitting.

Ares blinked as tiny fingers gripped his, the pudgy digits unable to full wrap around it. Yet, the grip was strong. No, it was simply alive. He’s bathed in blood so often that he’s forgotten even the tiniest of hearts can still beat.

“Telemachus.”  Penelope and Odysseus smiled. Smiled at him, smiled because of him. They were happy. He was happy.

.

.

.

[ARES]

Let her go…..please

Let her go……

[tsarisfanfiction]

The Sun

Fandom: Trials of Apollo Rated: Teen Genre: Angst/Tragedy Characters: Artemis, Apollo, Zeus, Meg McCaffrey

Apollo plays the role of an idiot well enough that often, it’s forgotten that he’s one of the most powerful gods - and one of the most wrathful.

Wow it’s been a while, but I’m poking at @flashfictionfridayofficial’s weekly prompts once again; this week is setting heaven on fire which plays nicely with an idea I had the other day.  Warning for major character death in this one.  This clocks in at 968 words, according to MSWord.

Apollo wasn’t the god of fire.  He was the god of many things, including the sun, but the domain of fire belonged to his half-brother (and Helios, once upon a millennia).

Right now, it was difficult to remember.

Zeus had pushed her brother too far, Artemis realised.  It was no idle musing, like she’d done in the past when her idiot twin prodded one button too many and their father’s retaliation had been swift and brutal. Apollo’s crimes had never fit his punishment, had always seemed far more severe than the situation demanded, but she was used to that by now.

Idle musing had no place in her mind right now.  Not with half the Olympians cowering in their thrones, covering their eyes against the god within their midst.

And this was why Zeus always came down hard on Apollo, driving him far enough under his thumb that he’d never dare challenge the king of the gods – because Zeus had defeated his father, and feared history repeating itself.  Because of all of Zeus’ children, equal though they were supposed to be, there was one who stood above the rest.  One who, once, had been blessed with a vast array of power, barely short of the Big Three themselves.

By Zeus, ironically, before his paranoia had caught up with him and he’d started seeing his children as threats.

The sad thing was, Apollo would never have opposed him.  Zeus’ harsh punishments had done their job and kept him, if not meek, because Apollo was never meek, but afraid.  Too afraid to ever stand up to him.

Until now.  Until Zeus’ latest punishment did the opposite of what he’d intended and gave Apollo insight into what had been happening to him, gave the god of knowledge the last few details he’d always missed – probably on purpose, if Artemis knew her twin at all.  Until Meg McCaffrey entered his life and turned four millennia upside-down within the span of six months.  Rude, irreverent Meg McCaffrey, who had no love for the gods and no fear of retribution.

No fear when she insulted Zeus one time too many, and the king of the gods reached his very short limit.

The young girl probably didn’t even realise she was dead, yet, the strike had been so swift.  Her soul would be face to face with Charon, berating him with all the disrespect she could fit in her small – too small – body, and her sudden change in location and living status likely had yet to register.

Up in Olympus, it had certainly registered with Apollo.

The sun always shone brighter than the moon, yet the sun always invigorated the moon, so Artemis was able to keep her poise on her silver throne.  Either side of her, her fellow goddesses were less fortunate. Love was powerful, and Aphrodite was the eldest of them all, but it was love that had sent Icarus flying up to the sun, and love that had failed to save him from its wrath.  Wisdom was knowing when you were outclassed and when to step back, a quality Athena was exhibiting marvellously as she leaned back, as far away from the inferno as her throne would allow.

Further, on both sides, nature was withering as the thing that gave it life flipped the coin and snatched it away instead.  Neither Demeter’s nor Dionysus’ thrones could withstand the sun so close.  Hera’s precious family was splintering before her eyes, but she was the Queen of Olympus and refused to cower even as her peacocks boiled alive.  At the end of the hall, a young girl desperately tended to her erratic hearth, the division of family affecting Hestia’s domain, too.

Hermes could go everywhere, with no restrictions, but he’d never been a match for his older brother and flattery, bribes and trickery meant nothing when the eleventh throne was merely collateral.  They were all collateral, really.  Beside the sweating messenger of the gods, the disfigured god of the forges sat unaffected by the inferno, although even Hephaestus preferred to look at something he was fiddling with than stare directly at the sun.

The other side of the empty golden throne sat the god of war, leaning forwards eagerly as though that would distract from the shades he’d materialised across his eyes, or the way beads of sweat rolled down his bulging muscles.  Ares was no less affected than the rest of them.

The sun could destroy water no more than water could extinguish the sun, and Poseidon lounged in his throne as a curious observer, watching and waiting to see what would happen. To see which would stand down first; the sun, or the sky.

Lightning was still crackling, the Master Bolt agitated to match the state of its wielder.  Zeus was thunder – not like thunder, but thunder itself, black and furious and loud.  Kronos’ children had used trickery to overthrow him, but Apollo was no trickster.  Apollo was bright, blindingly so, and incapable of not being the centre of attention at any given moment.

Now, standing before the king of the gods with none of the fear and respect Zeus expected, he was demanding every ounce of attention Olympus had to give, unapologetic and raging in a way only the sun could be.  He was setting heaven on fire, the bringer of life reminding them that it was also the bringer of death, and that the switch between the two was something as fragile as a mortal child.

Like all tyrants, Zeus had unwittingly created his own enemy, and Artemis didn’t know how it was going to end – foresight was Apollo’s domain, although whether he was using it right then, she had no way to tell – but she knew that, however the clash resolved, it would be remembered for millennia to come.

[antiloreolympus]

7 Anti LO Asks

1. Do you know what really gets my blood boiling about this comic? Persephone and Demeter's relationship.

In the myths, Demeter and Persephone loved each other more than anything. Their reunion is so important - it marked the coming of spring and growth. A whole cult was dedicated to this for crying out loud. Yes, the myths were far from perfect, but the Persephone and Demeter myth showed the strength of a loving mother-daughter relationship with Demeter searching endlessly to find her child that was ripped away and had her innocence forcibly taken.

Now, RS is not the only author to make Demeter this over-bearing mother type in order to put more positivity onto the Hades-Persephone relationship. However, RS takes this trend to a whole new level - to the point where I would even consider it misogyny.

How is it, she takes this beautiful mother-daughter relationship and makes it out to be an abusive and controlling one, and then takes the Hades-Persephone relationship from a forceful one to a loving, perfect relationship with no problems? How is it ok to ruin one relationship to elevate another?

I understand that many versions of the myth try to downplay Hades' actions, and even make it so Persephone actually falls in love with him and there is no rape. But it doesn't change that this relationship was problematic, and meant to represent the loss of innocence.

Then fans have the gall to claim this comic is feminist and then claim on top of that that Demeter and Persephone's relationship was the same in the myth? These fans clearly don't know the myths, and neither does RS.

Making Hades a good person is fine. Changing it up a bit to make Persephone's loss of innocence something else is also fine. But ruining Demeter and Persephone's relationship? Especially when Persephone has to spend half the year with her? So horrible. 

2. im sorry, but rachel cant introduce KRONOS coming back and then dropping it for several episodes to focus on a stake-less trail and persephone not knowing what lingerie to seduce hades in. like thats too much of an earth shaking development and huge stake plot point to just ignore for months to focus instead on something as minor as hxp's relationship, which only points out a huge flaw: why is hxp's relationship so minor in this? isnt the whole point supposed to be about them?

3. I think LO completely dropped the ball over Hades’ characterization. 

From the first ep I thought ok, this is good, we have some bones to see he’s not that lucky in love and is just tired and lonely, and while ignoring the creepy actions towards Persephone, I thought ok, Artemis hates him, Hestia hates, even Ares hates him, maybe once Persephone finally sees the underworld and probably gets to know him it’ll be a clever twist and they’ll be proven wrong. The underworld will turn out to be fair and just, the citizens will love Hades, he’ll be revealed to be a good leader and king and not like his brothers, it’ll be like everyone saying Hades of myth isn’t actually that bad, and it’ll help reinforce why this sweet and bubbly Persephone wants him, she sees the real him, not the mean rumors and assumptions, this is perfect.

And then it just didn’t happen. The exact opposite happened, actually.

We’re shown the LO underworld is cruel and unjust, where the poor dead are forced into slavery and Hades created a harsh class divide with him and him only on top, the citizens hate him, the underworld gods don’t trust him and openly seem ok if he’s taken out of power, he’s not a good leader and king and doesn’t even want the job yet keeps it for his own ego and grip of power m, and on top of it all he is just like his brothers, if not worse. He loves to get violent over any little slight against him, he hoards wealth and resources to enrich himself while his citizens starve and struggle to survive, he’s corrupt, he controls all the media and laws to bend to his will, sleeps with his brothers wife for centuries behind his back while claiming to be holier than thou, he has sex with his secretaries who are made dependent on him for any way to survive, and now he lusts after his barely legal intern who is also now dependent on him for her way to survive, and that’s only what I remember off the top of my head.

LO perfectly set up to prove Hades isn’t the devil or the false pop culture assumption that he’s evil and to show some actual facts from myth, and yet Rachel only ended up reinforcing exactly that and even making him even worse with her made up ideas, all while thinking having Persephone ignore or excuse it somehow makes it not bad or even a good thing. It’s honestly kind of impressive just how bad of writing that actually is. 

4. Chapter 172 is not that interesting. It’s setup had me excited to see Hephaestus and Hera and learning more about echo, but it’s cut so short. Because again the story can’t leave HXP out for 2 seconds.

I can also see why Zeus is gonna go insane. 

5. i agree w/ other anon. LO should have pulled a PJO or a BoZ and just made up OCs and have them interact with the gods than whatever Rachel thinks shes doing, which is lying she's being accurate and faithful while completely changing all of it, removing what is needed, and adding what isnt so that it lines up with no actual myth besides like, various 50 shades fanfic she read in 2015 and some popular tumblr text posts.

6 . the animation studio behind blood of zeus literally can only draw one face for the men and one face for the women and they were still able to make the gods all look distinct and hot while LO can't even bother to use more than 6 colors and can only have the women look as tiny as possible with the biggest boobs while the men are all just lego men.

7. ////FP SPOILERS////

Okay so like I stopped reading LO way back before season 1 ended, and a majority of my knowledge of the series comes from what I read here on your blog which is enough for me lol and I decided to read the latest 5 chapters just to see what's up (on zahard. I refuse to give the actual series any views)

And I just. Could not take the whole scene with Daphne running from Apollo seriously? The anatomy and art inconsistency was so distracting that i genuinely could not find it serious. Even when Thanatos discovers her hibernated body I couldn't take it seriously because of how she looked?

And when Hades had that call (??? Was it a call? Or his inner dialogue? I couldn't really tell ngl) with Zeus and said he's causing Persephone unnecessary distress, and that she didn't pose any threat. B!tch??? She killed a ton of mortals??? She has no control over her powers???? She's literally a fugitive for the aforementioned things??? She apparently woke Kronos up? (Idk if anyone knows about that, again my knowledge only spans to whatever I read here) Hello????

And I have a lot to say about the chapters starting the trial but I'll only mention one thing; Hades saying "I don't think blindly supporting my little brother would be doing him any favours (as a ruler)" had me cackling. This is coming from a guy blindly supporting a girl he's literally only known for a few weeks, who's like what, only recently turned 20? Sit tf down Hades you're not cool, you creepy ass overgrown smurf.

Overall I still hate this series lmao. Regarding art though I feel like I wouldn't be so miffed about the anatomy much if the character designs were consistent and the story was compelling. They literally change hairstyles and body types frame by frame, and it's distracting.

The timeline from what I read here is laughable. 4 years in publication with almost 200 chapters and you're telling me only like a month has passed canonically. That's wild and such poor writing.

And as someone who literally will sympathise with any lead character pretty quickly, the story makes me hate them. It makes me want to root against them. I also hate the fact this trash is somehow top ranked on webtoons when so many other stories are far better then it.

Anyway, many thanks to this blog for existing and allowing me to dump so much text here to vent out my hate for this series lmao. You the mvp fam, hope you're having a good day 🥂🥂🥂

[nysus-temple]

Could you explain the whole poseidon-demeter-persephone thing you have? no offense i'm just curious about it!

*cracks knuckles* thank you anon, time to write a big ass paragraph.

I'm always glad to talk about my book since due to my studies I haven't been able to finish the last parts yet, neither finding a place to publish it, so everytime I can talk about it I'm more than glad !!

Origins:

Demeter and Poseidon are both nature gods, Demeter is the manifestation of earth nature and Poseidon of water nature. All gods care for living beings equally ( except, well, some ), but they all have their preferences wich is just like the humans, some prefer cats over dogs and the gods can think that way too. Demeter and Poseidon were like that too, Demeter couldn't stan animals and Poseidon didn't get what was so good about plants. That's how they started talking more together, it began as a discussion at first.

Poseidon is the one out of the first olimpians to be most likely a disaster, he isn't really good at putting emotions aside when logic is needed. Demeter is the other way around, she has ALWAYS put they well-being of all life forms first, never the feelings.

That was until Poseidon proposed to her.

She didn't want to get married ( not in a Hestia way, since she was ok being in a relationship ) because she just wasn't a fun of so many "contract" stuff, that's what she considered weddings to be like. Specially since Hera was the one behind all the marriage thingy and as much as she loves all her siblings, she never trusted that much the youngest ones. She loved spending time with Poseidon, she loved the fact that he was so careless.

❝ There was one day when he scared me jumping out of some bushes, and due to my... lack of trust, I suppose, I started running away to the point of turning myself into a horse to escape from him... your father, fearing his intentions ❞ said Demeter to her daughter, who was listening with a very unusual attention.

❝ You were running away... from my father... ❞ mumbled Persephone, shaking, ❝ that can only mean that I wasn't meant... to be born. ❞

The nature goddess got up from the ground surrounded by grass, resting a hand on a tree trunk.

❝ I haven't finished speaking, Persephone ❞ she complained, sighing ❝ he turned into a horse too and didn't stop chasing me until he caught me. ❞ she let out a laugh, shaking her head tiredly ❝ He grabbed my arm and said "I caught you!" and... and then he let me go, saying one last sentence before laughing out loud: "now it's your turn, try to catch me if you can!"

Persephone frowned, blinking more than once trying to find some logic in that story.

❝ What you're telling me is that dad... I mean, my father- he- was playing a child game with you all along? He wasn't trying to do any harm? But- the mortals said he... ! ❞

Demeter looked at her companion once more before laughing again.

❝ Oh my dear Poseidon, how much time has passed since you have last seen our precious daughter, who is just as distrustful as the goddess you once loved? ❞

The other woman didn't say a word, she just kept looking at her melancholic mother.

[ The ram that ate grapes ] - Chapter ??? - ( Not published yet)

Demeter was distrustful, Poseidon was naive.

Daughter:

Poseidon accepted Demeter's wish of not getting married and their relationship didn't have nor caused any troubles at all, wich was good news for deities in general, since they could keep up with their god condition without feeling any struggles with it.

They even had a child ! A child that the oracles said would be different from any other god that had been born before, news that meant they descendant would most likely inherit all the good qualities of the both nature deities. This made the king of the olimpians happy, Zeus, both the parents, Demeter and Poseidon, and even the queen of the heavens, Hera.

Except, the oracle who predicted all of this news, Hestia and the one who was listening to her in silent, Hades. But none of them said anything due to their lack of interactions with their familly, who was gonna listen anyway.

❝ That child... ❞ mumbled Hekate in the darkness, without letting any of the two gods see her, ❝ That damn Hestia was right again, the little one has horns... big ram horns... ❞

❝ She's not crying! She's not crying! ❞ screamed Demeter, holding her descendant while feeling extremelly anxious ❝ She can't die just after being born, I refuse! Poseidon call Eileithyia! ❞

❝ No, Demeter, pay attention! She is actually breathing, even if she is... being very silent with it ❞

❝ Have you gone absolutely insane?! but before she could keep complaining, the child moved a bit in her arms.

The nature goddess looked at the little girl with both confusion and fear, the creature was actually breathing, she had a heartbeat.

A very low and quiet one. No crying, no shaking, she was like a little doll.

❝ Her heart... is glowing a little ❞ said the father, who was still next to both of them ❝ Is this some kind of curse or whatever... we should go to Hekate, perhaps... ❞

But the mother hold his arm, shaking her head as a way of saying "no".

❝ She doesn't need anyone else, just us. ❞ she replied, letting out a sigh filled with desesperation.

Hekate smiled for herlself while she was walking away.

❝ Oh little sheep with horns, your glowing heart wishes to become the new Mother Gaia, but your body accepted its fate as a mortal being ❞ she kept mumbling until she had disappeared completely.

[ The ram that ate grapes ] - Chapter ??? - ( Not published yet)

The child grew up with her two parents only, without coming out of Demeter's realm. Poseidon visited them due to the condition of living in the sea and the little girl had only been told about the rest of the world by her mother, she never saw anything herself, not even his family of gods and goddesses.

That child was Persephone, a goddess... as her parents think, without any abilities at all. She was supposed to be born as an exceptional nature goddess due to her parents, but she wasn't, at least not as it was thought.

It's true, Persephone was able to create some little crops, not much at all compared to her mother, and interacted with living beings, but in a completely different way compared to her father, since she wasn't able to protect any animal Poseidon gave her, neither any plant. She ended all of them, just by looking at them.

So in the end, they went to ask Hekate for advice. But the goddess only replied with a simple sentence: "She's the weakest goddess to have ever been born, she can be compared to Hebe in that way, fragile and with no abilities that can be mentioned in a hymn." And then, before disappearing into the darkness as she always did, a last thing was said: "She has a spirit as strong as Mother Gaia's and a body weaker than a mortal's one."

Demeter only understood one thing: that her daughter couldn't be saved, that she was in the worst conditions ever. She never let her go out of the realm, not even interact with her father at some given point, afraid of her diying and loosing that precious inmortality all deities had.

Poseidon... well, he WAS going to ask Zeus for any advice, but ended up not doing it due to his own pride, thinking he wouldn't know anything better since he was the youngest Cronida. And before he could even think of asking Hades... his daughter was kidnapped by him.

Underworld:

Even after Zeus made an agreement between Demeter and Hades to who would keep Persephone at different points of the year, the girl who was in the middle still didn't say anything. Why should she? She couldn't feel fear when she was kidnapped, she couldn't feel sadness when she wasn't with her mother, she couldn't feel anger when she stopped seeing her father.

She just couldn't feel. Her glowing heart was beating slow, without making any noise at all. She didn't even feel a single emotion, good or bad, when the only serious fight happened between her parents, who never saw eachother again after that. It's not like she wanted to act that way, she just couldn't feel like doing anything at all.

"Please... smile once, just once, for your mother" Demeter kept saying to her daughter, who only shrugged and blinked as a response.

Persephone knew how much both of her parents sacrificed for her, but she still didn't feel like owning them anything, not even a simple smile or hug.

Everytime she had to go to the Underworld, with Hades it was the same. She didn't feel neither good or bad things towards him, no matter how hard he tried. She was a good queen in those terms, since no one was able to trick her like her husband had been once.

It's true, she was mentally a very strong goddess and phisically a extremelly weak one, if Hades wanted to... maybe she wouldn't still be here, at least not as we know her.

Hekate came to visit her many different times: "You indeed have a spirit as strong as Mother Gaia's and a body weaker than a mortal's one... oh! Little sheep with horns!"

But Persephone never knew how to react to that.

Demeter and Poseidon never saw eachother again until Zagreus, Persephone's son, was born. The first time ever they saw their daughter smiling, when she had the child in her arms, crying with rage, when he was kidnapped just like she had once been... showing emotions.

That time, they treated eachother as strangers, feeling akward to be both of them with Persephone at the same time, who was now, the one asking them to smile this time.

"Oh little sheep with horns..." Persephone could hear Hekate in the background, even if the goddess wasn't actually there.

"Flowers, fish and a little sheep..."

[singofus-a]

Hades felt his breath ripped from his longs as he heard her words. Clearly this place had been tormenting her, torturing her. He almost saw red with the amount of rage that rushed through him in those moments. When he found out who was behind this...

Taking a single deep breath, he gently moved Zeus aside and pressed his hands to the damp, dark wall. Running over them, he checked for any holes, gaps, or cracks. Something either to press or unlock, or just to gather enough information to see if they could brute force this. For her to be here, this had to have opened once. Therefore it had the mechanism to again. It was solid granite here though, not easy to break through and he had none of his usual strength, neither did any of them. Ripping off cobwebs and salt crystals, he ended up finding a hole too smooth and shaped to be normal. Turning back, he looked between the pendant and the hole - gesturing for Zeus to either hand it over or try it in the slot, Hades looked to the wall again.

"It is real, Hera. We're all here. I promise you." He stood close by Zeus, ready to catch Hera or deal with whatever happened when the door opened. He wanted to be one of the first people she saw, the first to take her into his arms. "We almost have you."

Hestia stood back and reached to grasp onto both Poseidon and Demeter, to give them strength and just out of relief really that they were both okay after their previous separation. She just couldn't take her eyes off of what Hades and Zeus were doing, praying that Hades was right and the wall would open.

under different circumstances, demeter might have teased their youngest brother for how openly he wore his emotions on his face -- but in this childish form, the face she had seen when she emerged from the darkness for the first time, it was heartbreaking to see how broken up about hera's voice he was. his eyes shone with tears, and despite how his hands trembled, he nodded resolutely and led the five of them down the path, using his compass as a guide.

the further they walked, the louder hera's voice became, her gut-wrenching sobs a cacophony against the walls.

"out... i just want out... zeus, hades, please!" hera gasped, and the pain was tangible. demeter saw zeus flinch in front of them, and glance back at the pendant.

"we're coming." zeus called out, but if hera could hear them she gave no sign. zeus quickened his pace, and demeter instinctively broke into a jog to keep up, unable to shake the feeling of dread that grew larger and larger in her belly.

they turned a corner, and zeus came to an abrupt halt, demeter nearly colliding with him in surprise. a quick glance over his shoulder told her what she needed to know. the compass had stopped pointing in a single direction, and now spun in wild circles over and over again.

they had also reached a dead end.

"hera!" poseidon called out, glancing nervously between each of his siblings. "can you hear us?"

"stop..." hera groaned, another sob ripping from her throat. "stop tormenting me. its not real... its not real."

demeter's eyes widened. "she can hear us."

[softtransbf]

Zeus, Hera, Demeter, & Hestia for Lucifer Morningstar ~ rebeccaselfships

ahh thank you so much! @rebeccaselfships

Zeus: How did you first meet your f/o(s)? How did you feel about each other at first?

Lux was hosting a special west coast swing night, so I went with a friend. We were having a great time, totally tearing it up. Mostly danced with him, but definitely did some mingling and dancing with new people.

Lucifer first caught my eye when the DJ took a break and he went to the piano and played All Along The Watchtower. Bit of a weird choice for wcs, but definitely still worked. Thankfully, I was dancing with my friend again, because I was only about half paying attention to the dance. Lucifer's voice and playing truly astounded me.

The DJ came back, and a few songs later, when I was taking a break to get a drink, he came up to me and asked for the next dance. We danced to Dance Monkey, and it was... magical. I'd never connected with a new partner like that before. The energy was electric. We were laughing and having an incredible time.

So I thought he was a hot, talented musician and the best dance partner I'd ever had.

He tried his "what do you truly desire" thing on me, and it didn't work, but I honestly answered that I just wanted to keep dancing. He thought I was beautiful and a great dancer and was fascinated by the fact that his power didn't work on me.

Hera: How did you first start your romantic relationship with your f/o(s)? How did the way you feel about each other evolve to get to that point?

The night we met, I, uh, didn't go home. At first, we were always going out dancing or for drinks before going back to his place, but then we started going to dinner or just staying in and watching a movie, then my staying over became intentional, then i had a toothbrush, then a change of clothes in a drawer, and we just kind of... fell into something deeper than either of us were looking for when we met without realizing it.

And I really do mean without realizing it- Linda had to point it out to Lucifer, and I didn't realize it until Ella commented on how cute a couple we are and asked how long we'd been dating.

Demeter: What’s your favorite season, and how do you like to spend that season together?

Definitely spring. It's the best weather, so we go on a lot of road trips up and down the coast.

Hestia: What makes you and your f/o(s) feel at home? 

It's cheesy, but each other. Neither of us had a lot of roots when we met, so we found those roots and a home in each other. The where doesn't matter so much.

[mypurelyselfindulgentprompts]

Community Demigod Headcannon/Fanfic Idea

They all go to Camp Half-Blood and meet there. Maybe they have to go on a quest at some point. I don't know. But anyway these are my ideas of who their godly parents would be.

Troy - Son of Ares

Troy is a jock and he gives off a very himbo-like energy. And as shown with Frank not all children of Ares/Mars are aggressive. I think Troy is one of those people who is able to get along with everyone at camp. And everyone knows that during Capture the Flag Troy and Abed’s cabins have to be paired together because the two would never fight against each other. The one time they were on opposite sides it diverged from Capture the Flag to an all out war (Like the blanket fort vs pillow fort war).

Annie - Daughter of Athena

Annie is the most studious person in the study group. During high school she had a 4.0 and is dedicated to her studies. 

Britta - Daughter of Demeter

I feel like out of all the demigods the children of Demeter would be the ones who are typically the most into activism. Honestly I don’t know how else to explain it, it’s just how I see her.

Pierce - Satyr

Pierce is a satyr like Coach Hedge. Honestly I just can’t see his character as young. If he was the son of a god, I would probably say Dionysus. I prefer him being a satyr though. An asshole satyr, but a satyr. 

Jeff - Son of Hermes

Jeff was a lawyer and is easily able to manipulate people in the show. Hermes is known for being a thief and mischievous. I think it fits.

Abed - Son of either Apollo or Aphrodite

Ok for Abed I couldn’t decide. I know that Apollo probably fits more because Abed is so into pop culture, but I just love the idea of him being the son of Aphrodite. For one it would mean that he would still have his single dad and a mother who left. But also I just love the idea of everyone being confused about how he is the son of Aphrodite. But it is shown in the show that Abed is able to be very charming and pretty much everyone in the show and who watch the show fall in love with his character. And I like imagining all his sisters and brothers being very overprotective over him. So yes, while Apollo might seem to outwardly fit more, I just love the idea of him being the son of Aphrodite.

Shirley

Shirley is another one that I had trouble with. I would love to say that she is the daughter of Hestia or Hera, but neither of them have children who are demigods. And there are a ton that could fit but aren’t perfect. She could be a daughter of Aphrodite. I don’t really have an argument but it could work. She could be a daughter of Tyche, who is the goddess of chance and fortune. Again I could see that working but I don’t have much idea of how it would fit other than her wanting to be an entrepreneur. I could see her being the daughter of Iris. Shirley is such a happy person and rainbows are usually a happy sign. I could even see her being a daughter of Dionysus. We have seen such as in Troy’s 21st birthday episode that Shirley was a heavy drinker in the past, but she is trying to get past that. So maybe the same thing could be said with this. Her father is Dionysus and when she was younger she would use that as part of her excuse for why she was drinking a lot, but when she was 16 she got pregnant (or maybe that is when they go on the quest) and she hasn’t gone back to drinking ever since. She isn’t proud of her past, but she is proud of her journey. Honestly, of these ideas for Shirley the order from which ones I like the most to least is: Dionysus, Tyche, Iris, Aphrodite.

It’s free real estate. Please feel free to use this idea. If you do use it, please just let me know. My ao3 is KnightsofAce if you want to gift it to me. Or just let me know if the comments. I want to read it so please just let me know if you write something based on my idea.

[legolaslovely]

Helios and Morpheus

A/N: Here is my part of our collaboration for the Durin’s Day Gift Exchange for @linane-art ! Thank you for brainstorming with me and being so supportive and patient. You made this even more exciting than I thought it would be, and let me tell YOU, I was thrilled about it all in the first place. I hope you enjoy it. I am so excited to share it! :)

This is somewhat loosely based on Greek Mythology, AKA it’s an Alternate Universe! Rated Gen. Get ready for some LONGING and some FLUFF.

LOOOOOKKKKKKKK AT @linane-art​ ‘s ARTTTT LOOOOOK AT THE PERFECT BOYSSS!!!! Thank you for giving us SUCH gorgeous works. 

The link for Fili is HERE!! And Kili is HERE!! Please go give @linane-art​ some love!!!!!!

Helios and Morpheus

Tell us of the impossible lovers, O Muse.  Those who defied Fates, Furies, and Almighty Zeus, Who found forever hidden in distance between, Paradise more perfect than Elysian serene.

Tell us of Helios, the God of Golden Sun Who rides in his chariot before night’s begun. His radiance shines as he watches and he waits For God of Dreams, Morpheus, to fly from his gates. 

Perfumed with his poppies and directives to spare, Roused only by his One with the rays in his hair, Morpheus stars in dreams prophetic and divine, Telling his love in sleep, “You are mine, you’re all mine.”

One alone rules the day as sky’s singular light. Another’s domain lies in the darkness of night. As stubborn as star-crossed, fierce as Cronus, they were, Bridging the cosmos for a love that was most sure.

Book I

To those below and above, he was known as Morpheus. To those around him, however- to his parents and his brothers, the Oneiroi- he was Kíli. To himself, he was a dreamer.

One could suppose that’s how it all began.

From very early on in his eternal life, he was known around the cosmos for his talent of deceit. But the true-hearted Kíli only deluded with his physical appearance. With a bit of concentration and a blink of time, he could shift from his godlike form into any other imaginable. Those below often said that no other was more skilled than he in representing the gait, the features and the speech of men, but little did they realize, Kíli could manifest as much more. Truthfully, he just thought the world of men had very tiny imaginations, even in their dreams. 

And so, his talents were put to use. Zeus commended him and dubbed him the leader of the dream makers, called the Oneiroi. He was to spend his nights flying through the world of men, delivering messages from the gods to their pupils through their dreams. Instead of using his skills for amusement, for playing pretend and hiding from his brothers, Kíli- Morpheus- would exhaust himself and his power by playing messenger boy for the King of the Gods.

Still, Kíli learned to have his fun. 

You see, though Kíli was explicitly told what message to send to whom, the how was entirely up to him. He could morph into a towering cyclops and poke the belly of his recipient until he listened. He could make a pit stop in the sweetest dream of the prettiest semi-divine woman and make her fall in love with him just before night’s end. He could even visit Hades to make ghost children into brave soldiers, or Hephestus to take a lesson in sword forging. As long as he delivered his messages on time, he had the power to do whatever he wanted.

But it all ended with the rosy-fingered dawn.

Every night had its end. For others, that was a hopeful thought, even a prophetic one, but for Kíli, it just meant he’s run out of time. His freedom was stripped away by the clouds painted orange. For a long while, some thousands of years, he stomped back through his gates like a tantrum struck child, furious at his forced time-out. He’d grunt at the guards and leap over the Rivers of Forgetfulness and Oblivion, and lock himself in his cave to sleep among the poppy seeds until he received the orders for his next outing.

In the recent millennia, however, he’d been risking everything to hide behind the lock of his ivory gate and watch the black night sky lift and glow indigo, then violet. He’d wait to see the golden chariot cross the cosmos, pulling aside the curtain of night to reveal the bright blue day behind it. He’d heard the stories all his life. He knew what happened in the universe that took his time away from him and turned it into day. But he only recently saw the phenomenon for himself and since then, he never wanted to miss the show.

It wasn’t the glittering coat or glistening mane of the thundering horse that he was interested in. It was the one inside the solid gold chariot that first caught his eye. It was Helios, God of Sun, he wanted to watch because, though he was almost blinded by the sunny halo every morning, Kíli was sure Helios was smiling at him.

Book II

Helios was happy. Though others often wondered how he could be.

Those above pitied him for his status. It was unjust for the God of Sun- the deity of something as important as creation, light, and life- to be considered a minor god. He would never see the world below from the peak of Mount Olympus. He couldn’t watch the measly humans through the silver, puffy clouds. Sure, he had his own clouds to peer through way up there on his own throne, but they weren’t as pretty as the ones that surrounded Mount Olympus. Not at all. Helios only had regular clouds. What a shame.

It may have been that those below pitied him even more than the Olympians. Helios was alone. Yes, he had power, eternal youth and breathtaking beauty, but he’d never share any of it with anyone. How sad! To spend the light of day watching the world below, only to be so distant from it. Poor, lonely Helios.

Solitary and depressed, but never forgotten. For who could forget the sun?

In return for his service and out of their pity, the gods above gave him the most beautiful land to shine on and watch over. Artemis kept her trees tall and her meadows vast so long as Helios kept them green. Demeter graced the farmlands, encouraging crops to grow up to the light of his rays. Even Poseidon, grateful for the glimmer of warmth Helios left on his sea, returned the favor and controlled his waves whenever the halo of sun crossed the sky at day’s end.  And sometimes, Zeus would throw some thunderbolts and give Helios a day of rest when he especially deserved it after weeks and weeks of impeccable radiation.

Helios was the only being who couldn’t understand the world’s view of him. Between those generous gifts from the higher gods and the worship and prayers from the humans below, how could Helios ever be unhappy? In his opinion, he had it made. 

Because he was a minor god, he didn’t have to deal with the problems of Olympus. He was glad the fabricated kidnappings, adulterous adventures, and cannibal snacking rituals were kept way over there on that mountain and his warm, serene hours were spent way over here on his very own throne. He shined his brightest on his own. 

Still, that didn’t mean he disliked watching the humans from afar. On the contrary, he adored them.

He smiled down on them as they wept in his name. He peeked through the dreary, grey clouds and gave them warmth as they built his temples stone by stone. Attentively, he watched as they danced and sang for him, begged him for his blessings and thanked him for his creation. In their words, he was gracious. He brought joy to mortals. Again, their words, not his.

He was given all this simply for being beautiful. He was pure light. He ruled the sky for thousands of years and was grateful, never wanting any change.

Then, as randomly as an autumn leaf falls to the ground, his lands brought him something new. Or rather, someone. As Helios crossed the sky and brought the dawn, he looked down on his endless estate and spotted this someone watching him. It was not a farmer, nor a thief or human forced to wake before the day. 

Instead, it was clear this Dark One enjoyed the night. He stood unshrinking from the black sky and smiled at Helios, clearing any blame for his bringing the sun. This someone, this Dark One was happy to make his sacrifice to Helios- a ritual the Sun God had never enjoyed until now. Now, it was a gift.

Never in his eternal life had Helios pulled on his steed’s reins to slow the sunrise. It wouldn’t work. His chariot would plow on with its duty with time warping speed, never paying a hair’s attention to the Dark One in the shadows. There was no time. Dawn must come.

With that, Helios crossed the sky, eventually losing sight of his someone below. When he leapt from the gold to gold, from the chariot to his throne, he searched for the Dark One, but his own light stole the shadows and his someone was nowhere to be found. His passing eras slowed to hours. During the time of his reign, he watched the humans find Aphrodite, Hestia, and Hera and when the night came, he himself found his Dark One waiting for him every morning.

Book III

Morpheus had the ability to enter the dreams of any and all. He could punish the dastardly with nightmares so garish and haunting, his victims would change their ways in the morning. Or he could gift the selfless with visions of peace and profit, the lonely with companionship, or the sick with health. Over the span of his existence, he’d delivered messages and prophecies to billions- humans and gods alike.

Tartarus, he could even sneak into Zues’ dreams and feel the power of the King’s Thunder if he felt like it. But Kíli valued his immortality too much for such a thing.

Bottom line: Kíli could visit all who dreamed. Which was everyone. Or so he thought.

It was really just his luck that the one he so wanted to meet- and even eavesdrop on if Kíli was honest- was out of his reach. Contrary to popular belief, the sun never slept and neither did the god who powered it. 

He didn’t understand why. What did Helios have to do during the night? Where did the Sun God even go when darkness came? Wasn’t there time for the Golden One to rest?

Kíli was determined to find out.

When darkness came on the Winter Solstice, the longest night, Kíli flew as fast as he could to the dreamers through the lower lands. He delivered a curse here, and a revelation there. Then, dressed in his best disguises, he climbed up to Mount Olympus to greet the two gods he was meant to visit. His foretellings were clear and concise. There was no time for any mix ups or confusions which, despite Kíli’s best intentions, were a common occurrence with drowsy recipients. 

After all his duties were finished, he tumbled down to his gate with time to spare. There, hanging onto the delicately etched ivory pillars, he waited alone. The night hours he so treasured ticked slowly past- slower than ever before. More than once he leapt from the ground, wings waving and flapping when he was sure he saw a speck of light coming from the east. But he realized his eyes were only playing tricks on him in his anticipation, and eventual boredom.

Still, he didn’t leave his post.

The sky remained dark for so long, Kíli was sure he’d gone blind trying to make the smallest stars into the golden halo he longed to see. He wondered why nothing was happening, why the blanket above wasn’t lifting to indigo, then violet in preparation for Helios. Had something happened to the Golden One? 

He panicked. 

It was unbelievable. 

For ages, Kíli wished for eternal night and cursed the morning Sun, and now all he wished for was the scalding rays to burn his skin. He’d welcome such a painful end if he could see the Sun God one last time.

Then, there was light. 

Real light, nothing Kíli’s eyes or drowsy mind could create. This was it.

His waving wings let him hover just above the ground, his bare toes dipping into the tall grass. He had to be careful, he had to time it right if he wanted a chance to speak to Helios as he crossed the sky and brought the dawn. If his actions weren’t perfect, his flesh would sizzle and leave his bones unsheltered to melt in a matter of seconds. Helios’ light was his end. So he must stay in the shadows.

After such darkness, Kíli could only see a white blur crossing the sky, but after years and years of watching the sunrise, he knew well how Helios’ shining steed cut through the night like a rapier. He raced up to meet it, his every muscle jolting in tandem to flap his wings with enough speed and precision to shoot him to a height that took his breath from his body. There, on the level, he waited.

That was his mistake.

The chariot barreled toward him with such graceful speed, its very own wind left Kíli reeling through the air.

       “What are you doing?” He heard.

He found his balance and his rhythm and darted from the heat on his back. It singed the very tip of his wing, but with the breeze of his flight, the fire and pain didn’t travel upwards. So he flew on, grabbing hold of the chariot’s edge.

       “No!”

Kíli realized, but it was too late. Of course the gold of the chariot would be as blazing as an open flame. He hissed in pain, but flew on until he matched Helios in his flight.

He called the Sun God’s name, letting it grace his lips for the first time. “Helios!”

       “Are you daft?” Helios cried, yanking on his reins with a force that turned his knuckles white, but the horse didn’t slow.

       “I’m Morpheus!”

Helios laughed. His eyes sparkled, glittering like the brightest stars in the sky, like the loudest, most dazzling thunderbolt Zues ever threw had been captured inside the golden head of this god.

Kíli knew Helios was beautiful. He knew of the creamy skin, the aureate halo, and the smile as curved and irresistible as cumulus clouds. But he didn’t know of the blue eyes. They struck him and slowed him down.

Still, before he burned, before he circled back and raced to his gates, flying through without a look back, he heard Helios yell something to him. He saw Helios smile at him, as he’d seen every morning for hundreds of years. But this time, his Sun was close enough to touch.

Book IV

Helios’ days were all the same. It was clockwork and routine- the paths he took to and from the farthest corners of Poseidon's ocean, how long the trek took, when and where he’d begin and end. He knew what he’d see along the way. There were never any surprises because nothing was ever different. 

At least that was the case until Morpheus loomed by his gate for the first time. His first appearance had been unusual and indeed gave Helios pause at first, but even that had become something expected after thousands of years of his Dark One’s presence. 

Morpheus flying to his chariot before dawn, however, that was unexpected. A surprise. Even a fright to Helios that jarred him like nothing else he’d ever experienced. It left him with so many questions. Helios wasn’t used to having any such thing. He was the Sun. He had all the answers. He was the steadiest thing in the cosmos. He was arguably the most dependable god.

But now that Morpheus had flown to him, Helios was unsure. He sat in his throne and glowed dimly over the day, diverting most of his energy to all the questions now crowding his headspace.

Why, he asked. 

He’d spent his eternity thus far watching all beings under his light. They were predictable. He was never surprised by their actions. And yet, Morpheus, God of Dreams, left him flabbergasted without a single answer as to why he’d risk his life to speak to a god in the opposite domain. What was the point? What did he want to say? Wasn’t he terrified?

But Helios’ most important question was: Had Morpheus heard him?

He hoped so. For when he wasn’t wondering and pondering, Helios was dreaming. Well, he guessed he was dreaming. He’d heard his humans talk about it in his temples, running to his altar after a night of his blessing their sleep and revealing himself to them in a vision. It was as if they’d truly seen the god, Helios, and had even spoken to him, though it was obvious such a thing was impossible. Helios never strayed from his post.

But he dreamed on with his eyes open and his rays shining. Just before his mind’s eyes were wings twice the size of Morpheus’ body and black as the fur of Cerberus. He even went inside his fantasy and touched the wings with his fingertips, leaving them with what he hoped was a pleasant warmth. As his dream Morpheus leaned into his touch, even closed his eyes to it, Helios’ halo shone ever brighter to the lands below. 

Then, as if clouds filled the sky, more questions would clog Helios’ mind and his rays would dim as he asked himself why.

So the day went on, sunlight ebbing and flowing until his steed grew agitated. Sparkling hooves stomped into the ground, the glistening tail swished and the impatient head bobbed, strong neck arching tight in anticipation. Dusk was approaching, as was Helios’ long ride. But even after his exhausting day, he leapt into his chariot, ready to work through until dawn when he’d see his Dark One again.

       “Come to me tomorrow,” he’d said. 

He hoped it with every glittering speck of himself.

The reflection of his chariot shimmered in the ocean below as he passed through the sky. His steed took him past mount Olympus and over the thatched roofs of Corinth, then Larissa. He passed wide meadows and gentle creeks, waiting patiently for the chance to fly over Morpheus’ gates. Though the Dream World spanned much of the Underworld, Helios knew exactly where the horn entrance would appear at the break of dawn. He knew where Morpheus would be. 

Morpheus.

It left the great Sun God trembling, for he was aware of the danger his Dark One faced. If all didn’t unfold perfectly, Morpheus would be no more. And it would be Helios’ fault. Even in all his uncertainty, he was sure of that.

Leaning over the side of his chariot, Helios kept his eyes glued to the ground. He stayed low, remained as dim and cool as he could without giving himself a mortal chill. He waited. All things familiar glowed underneath him until the horn gates of Morpheus’ Dream World glittered in his rays. But Morpheus wasn’t leaning on the post. Instead, he was already flying through the air to meet the chariot. Helios’ gut sunk.  His Dark One was wasting his energy. He should have waited! 

It was too late now.

As Helios’ golden horse loped on, quickly surpassing Morpheus’ own swift speed, Helios reached out with a cool hand and dragged his Dark One safely into the seat of his chariot. Then he slid to the opposite side, pulling his limbs as far from Morpheus as the chariot allowed.

The two gods stared at each other. Morpheus was squinting at him, even in Helios’ dim light.

       “You told me to come back to you,” Morpheus said. “You told me to return at dawn.”

       “Yes,” Helios said.

Morpheus scooted closer to him, moving his hand to the back ledge of the chariot to pull himself along. “Why-”

       “Don’t!” Helios cried, dragging his Dark One’s hands into his own. “Don’t touch the chariot. It will burn you.”

Morpheus latched onto him. “But you’re not burning me. How is that?”

      “It’s only dawn. My rays aren’t as powerful now.”

Morpheus was watching him through narrowed eyes, taking in his every feature as if he’d never seen another being before. Like he’d only ever dreamed them, and never actually saw or touched. It took every bit of Helios’ power not to shrink from his gaze. No one had ever looked so closely at the sun.

Morpheus reached for him and ran his icy fingers around Helios’ ear, tucking his shining hair around it. “You’re so warm.”

       “Sorry.”

       “No,” Morpheus was quick to say. “It’s pleasant. You feel wonderful.”

Just below them was the shore of the western ocean. Dawn would soon pass into full morning. They didn’t have much time.

       “Why did you come? It was dangerous for you,” Helios said. He shifted in his seat to shelter Morpheus from the light creeping up to his back. They were close now, closer than any two opposing gods had ever been.

       “I’ve spent so long in the shadows,” Morpheus said. “I wanted to feel your light.”

Helios grinned. Everyone in the cosmos wanted to feel the light of the sun. But he’d keep himself from all the world, he’d let it all freeze over if it meant he could safely shine on his Dark One for the rest of his eternity. Just for a moment, he leaned closer to imagine what it would feel like.

       “I wanted to see you, but you don’t sleep!” Morpheus said, bumping the tip of his nose to Helios’ cheek. He jerked away and hissed, rubbing his sizzling face. “You heat up quick,” he laughed.

       “You must leave,” Helios said with a wince. “I can’t slow the dawn.”

       “I know. But here, take this.” Morpheus reached to the nape of his neck and untied the sticky stem of a single poppy from his hair. He placed it in Helios’ hand and folded his fingers around it. “Tomorrow when the moon rises, I want you to smell this. It’s one of mine. Bring it up to your nose and take a deep breath. Think of me and I will come to you in your dreams.”

       “I’ve never dreamt anything before. I’ve never even slept.”

Morpheus reached for him, but stopped himself before he could touch Helios’ scalding skin. He closed his eyes to the blinding shine. “Then I’ll fly to your chariot every day at dawn.”

       “No. It’s not safe for you.” The poppy was wilting in Helios’ hand without its maker. “I’ll do as you said. As long as you will come to me.”

       “I swear it. There’s no place else I’d rather be.” One eye creaked open and Morpheus smiled before it clamped shut again. “You sure are bright.”

       “You must go.”

His black wings rose above the chariot and opened like wide wooden doors before Morpheus blindly leapt from Helios’ side and dove to his gates. There, he disappeared before Helios’ own rays could burn his flesh.

As the Sun God was delivered to his throne, he held tight to his poppy and dreamed with his eyes open about what the night would bring.

Book V

It was rumored Morpheus’ wings had the strength of a thousand soldiers. Though the feathers were lush and silky, the arching bones crowning the tops- extensions of his own spine- were not to be trifled with. How else would he fly through the cosmos from city to city and even to Mount Olympus to deliver himself to the dreams of his recipients? The wings were so robust, so legendary, and yet his flight was as silent as an owl’s, for what good were they if they woke his dreamers? 

Tonight, however, his wings were still. He had his scroll, his list of messages to deliver and beings to visit, but instead of rushing out of his gates to tend to his duties, he stood just past the lock to his Dream World. For the first time in his endless existence, he didn’t know where to go. 

His most important dreamer didn’t have a regular resting place. As far as Kíli knew, Helios traveled in his chariot all through the night, distributing his light around the universe. It would be impossible to pinpoint his exact location, never mind catch up with the soaring chariot. The only thing Kíli could do was wait to be summoned.

Still, Kíli couldn’t even be sure Helios would be able to dream, or even sleep for that matter. His poppies worked wonders on ailing humans, but he’d never offered one to a god before. It was forbidden by Zues. As was his and Helios’ affair. He knew they were treading a very dangerous path.

Usually, Kíli would be terrified of Zues. He would hide in the shadows of his Dream World, only emerging from it to take orders from the King of the Gods. He’d take his notes with his head down and wings wilted, never quite looking the Maker of Thunder in the eye. Every interaction made him quiver down to his soles.

Now, however, with Helios in his sights, he wasn’t scared. It was as if he had a secret weapon that left him powerful and fearless against anyone who stood in the way of him finding his very own Sun. Nothing mattered beyond his One who glowed and lit up the sky, bringing hope to all in his domain. Kíli felt that now.

So he stood at his gates, daring Zues to threaten him or his love and hoping with every inch of himself that his poppy would work. He waited for Helios’ call.

He closed his eyes to listen.

The wind rustled in the grass and tickled his feet. A cat yowled in the dark. The warm stuffy silence of night muddled his mind. 

Then all was clear. When he opened his eyes, Helios was in his arms, asleep.

His plan had worked.

As expected, the Sun God was warm. Kíli had felt this kind of residual heat before when he entered the dreams of sleeping humans who were wrapped up in too many quilts during the night. However, this kind of warmth wasn’t so oppressive. Instead, it was a balmy comfort that washed over his lap and up his arms. Kíli, the God of Dreams who only came out at night, was feeling the Sun for the first time.

Meanwhile, Helios, who never slept and never left his post, conquered his fears and did so for Kíli. He was peaceful. The poppy had worked and it had given him rest. That knowledge only added to the rush Kíli was feeling in his chest as he pulled Helios closer, protecting him, lest he regret placing his trust in his Dark One. 

Though Helios was not shining, not even glowing, Kíli was still stunned by his beauty. It wasn’t dull or dimmed in the night, but magnified. This close and without his rays, Kíli could see his true beauty- the lines in his lips from his own heat and those around his eyes left by his gleaming grin. Even now, in sleep, Helios smiled and Kíli didn’t miss the dimples in his cheeks and how the left one was deep enough to cradle the tip of his forefinger. 

Kíli took this chance to touch the god, not to take advantage of him, but to appreciate him while there was time to be had, while he was unwatched. He ran his fingers through the silky golden hair, down the strong neck and over the proud, smooth shoulders. It electrified him like the night air never could. Then, after what felt like hours of staring and contemplation, Kíli even dared to kiss his Sun’s head. His lips lingered over the warm skin as he held Helios tight to his chest.

With that, Helios sighed. “Where am I?” he asked, working to focus his gaze on the one above him.

       “You are in the arms of Morpheus,” Kíli said, smiling down on him. “Which is to say, you are asleep.”

       “Morpheus.” Helios wriggled closer, wrapping his arms around any part of Kíli he could reach. “If this is a dream, then let it never end. There’s nowhere else I wish to be.”

Kíli hummed. “You’ve come over to the dark side then, hm?”

       “If that’s where you are, yes. I’ll follow you there.”

Like most things in the world of the gods, Kíli’s flowers affected all beings differently. He was happy enough that Helios had fallen asleep at all, so he couldn’t blame the virgin dreamer for his honeyed state. If Kíli was honest with himself, he didn’t at all mind his Sun’s sweet words, though he knew they were coaxed out by the power of his poppy.

Helios sighed again. “I’d follow you anywhere.”

       “You’re quite the romantic in your dreams,” Kíli said.

Helios grinned. It was bright enough to make Kíli’s heart soar, but not to blind him as it had when they shared the sky. 

       “Have I won you over, then?” Helios asked.

       “Do you think I’d risk my life just to speak with you if you hadn’t already?”

       “Twice!” Helios said with a wagging finger. “You did it twice.”

       “Yes, I did. And I’ll do it again every morning hence if it will allow me the privilege of holding you again.”

The Sun God let his head flop on Kíli’s arm. “Now who’s playing the romantic?”

Kíli would do anything to see those blue eyes more clearly, but as Helios talked on, his lids fluttered shut, lashes feathering against his cheeks.

       “I must have- had too much of the poppy. I did as you said, but the first… it didn’t do anything. I needed to see you, so I...” He laughed. “And now I can hardly keep my eyes open.”

Kíli caressed his cheek. “It’s all right. You can relax, I’ll be here.”

Immediately, the Sun turned to sand in Kíli’s arms, burying his forehead in his Dark One’s chest. Again, Kíli felt immeasurable pride. One of the most important beings in the cosmos allowed himself to be cradled and cared for by him. It made him return to his earlier wishes of wanting the night to last forever.

       “Morpheus-”

       “Call me Kíli.” He smoothed the line between Helios’ brows with his thumb as he explained, “It’s the name my mother gave me. Only when Zues gave me the Oneiroi, did he give me the name Morpheus as well.”

       “But that’s not who you are.”

       “No.”

Helios said his name. His real name. A lazy tongue flicked its way through the consonants and soft lips curled around the sounds with a smile. Then Helios said it again. “Kíli.” He leaned into Kíli’s night-cool touch that grazed the rounds of his golden cheeks and the cliffs of his thick brow. It rumpled as he said, “I don’t remember a time when I didn’t empower the sun. I’ve always been in the sky. Alone.”

       “Not anymore,” Kíli said.

Helios hummed and sighed and sank further into Kíli’s arms as if the disease of his loneliness- an ailment he never knew he had- was cured irrevocably. “Kíli. If you are Kíli, then I must be someone as well. Give me a name, Kíli.”

       “Your name is perfect just the way it is.”

He opened his eyes. “But it wasn’t given to me by anyone who matters.” For the first time, Helios reached up to Kíli and stroked his cheek. The touch was long overdue, but Kíli could forgive it because of the tenderness it evoked. He leaned into it, distantly listening as Helios continued. “Call me Fíli. Similar and yet opposite, just as we ourselves are. I’ll be your Fíli.”

Kíli snorted. “I should call you ‘Silly’ instead-”

He squeezed Kíli’s arm and chuckled. “Just give me this.”

Kíli wasn’t in a state to deny him anything. He’d fallen too far too quickly for such things. So he nodded.

       “Will you give me something else?”

       “Anything.”

Ever so gently, Helios- Fíli- led Kíli’s lips down to his own. Kíli gave him his kiss. In one moment everything between them changed. The cosmos parted and opened the way to a new universe of their own, one in which they could live in harmony and without fear, pain, or isolation. After millenia of giving- Fíli giving life and Kíli giving fantasy- they together stole it all for themselves. They gave each other the impossible. 

But Kíli felt himself begin to fade. 

Fíli held onto him like a stubborn serpent.

       “Don’t leave me,” Fíli said against his lips.

       “I won’t. It’s you who are leaving me.”

       “No.”

Kíli chuckled and his cool air blew over Fíli’s face, making him shiver. “It’s not your fault. You’re waking up.”

       “Stop me.”

       “I can’t. Not even you can slow the dawn. But we have forever now, Fíli.”

Fíli kissed him again. Even on the edge of his dream, the sun inside him was rising, leaving his flesh hot in Kíli’s arms. He would be untouchable in a matter of minutes.

       “Will you come to me again?”

       “Every night,” Kíli assured, risking his fingers to feel Fíli’s smoldering cheek once more. “And I will wait at my gates for you every morning.”

       “Not for too long, Kíli. I won’t have you scorching your wings again.”

       “You’re starting to sound more like yourself,” Kíli said with a scoff.

Fíli smiled. “I’m still your Fíli. And there’s still nowhere else I’d rather be than here in your arms. But you’re right, we both must go.” 

Yet Fíli’s only movement was to kiss his Dark One again. Then he watched until Kíli was a blur in the darkness.

Book VI

When Fíli opened his eyes, he was in his chariot. From the look of the waving blue mountains ahead, he could tell his nightly quest was about halfway through, meaning his trusted steed hadn’t even noticed his mind’s absence. After all, the horse knew the route as well as he did. It was an encouraging display that simultaneously left him bitter with disappointment. While it was made clear he’d be able to remain in Kíli’s Dream World for longer nights in the future, it only reminded him how short tonight’s visit had been.

He didn’t want to wait- not for the day to pass or even the night hours to fade before he could see his Dark One again from high above. But alas, even Zues himself suffered from such impatience for not even the King of the Gods could accelerate time. 

What did comfort Fíli, however, was Kíli’s love of the night. Though Fíli was bored by its boring darkness, his love- yes, his love- relished his freedom under the starry sky. It was his time to thrive. Fíli could imagine him, dream of him flying through the cosmos as he leaned back in the seat of his chariot. Maybe one night, the two would cross paths, he thought.

But when he wriggled down into his seat, something crunched. It set off a familiar smell. He reached up, startled to feel something in his own hair, and gently pulled at not one, but three poppies that were neatly tied and tangled together. Kíli must have left them in his golden waves just before he faded away from the dream. Rolling the stems in his fingers, Fíli smiled, bringing too high a dawn for the middle of the night. But he couldn’t help it. These were a promise from Kíli for more nights like this one in a universe of their own. 

They’d make a life for themselves in the short hours before dawn. Helios and Morpheus, known to only themselves as Fíli and Kíli, would love for eternity.

[vivienna-vivid]

About Fate!Hermes and Fate!Dionysus

There are 12 Machine Gods in Nasuverse lore: Zeus, Hera, Poseidon, Hades, Demeter, Hestia, Apollo, Artemis, Aphrodite, Ares, Athena, and Hephaestus.

Notice how Dionysus and Hermes aren’t listed. Of course, neither of them are Olympians but Hades isn’t considered an Olympian but there he is listed among the Machine Gods. A basic conclusion would be that Hermes and Dionysus were born later as Divine Spirits instead of Machines. But... That sounds too basic. Especially for deities like Hermes and Dionysus who were — anthropologically speaking  — born from other ancient gods (I recommend watching OSP’s analysis on both Hermes and Dionysus, it’s very enlightening!)

So here’s my take on them, based on IRL!Hermes and IRL!Dionysus’s stories (Keep in mind that these are all headcanons and personal theories, NOT canon. It’s fine if you don’t agree with my theories, it’s all in good fun after all!):

Hermes was less of a machine and more of a software extension. Hermes Units were equipped on all Machine Gods and allowed them to communicate with one another as well as information gathering. In other words, Hermes was a Cloud Application. Dionysus was similar to Aphrodite. He was a Machine God made for Psychological Warfare, an attack-unit made to defend the other Machine Gods. However, he sustained heavy wounds due to their long journey across galaxies. By the time the Machine Gods founded Earth, Dionysus broke down — with only his semi-damaged core being the only thing salvageable. The Machine Gods planned on fixing Dionysus, but resources were low due to the Titanomachy. Fixing him may require centuries to pull off but Zeus was willing to complete the task, especially with his Hermes Unit’s intel backing helping him and the other Machine Gods. However, everything changed when Sefar invaded. Dionysus was stuck as a measly core as the Gods lost their machine bodies as well as their advanced technology. With the destruction of the Gods’ machine bodies came the destruction of many Hermes Units. Miraculously, some were able to survive but because they weren’t connected to a Machine God, they could only talk among themselves.

Hermes, God of Trickery and Travelers

They were alone for so long, simply talking to each other as they lay amidst the “corpses” of the Machine Gods. They saw the sun and moon rise and fall, the stars appear and disappear, the clouds part and gather as they please. Eventually, they began to wonder: Why hasn’t anyone found them yet? Why hasn’t Apollo nor Artemis seen them yet? They knew the Gods were alive, so why haven’t they salvaged their body parts? Surely the needed the Hermes Units to regrow their mother planet, so why? After what felt like centuries of wondering and thinking and refreshing their data banks, the Units became a Unit  — “We” became “I” and a collective of programs became a singular small core. Thus, Hermes’ consciousness was born, wondering why he was abandoned.

Then, someone came. Zeus! Zeus came for him! And he... brought a woman? No, a minor Divine Spirit! They... Hermes couldn’t hear them very well, but they were speaking about... “Forming a body” and “Birth”? They were nodding at each other, too. Were they agreeing on something? Agreeing what? But, whatever questions Hermes had was silenced as Zeus took him in his hands. Finally! He was found! He wan’t abandoned! The Gods remembered hi-- All thoughts ceased as Hermes was plunged deep into the woman’s abdomen.

.

The sun sets on a mountain in Arcadia as a little baby in a cave gazes upon landscape. He was only born a few hours ago, yet he was already capable of complex thought. Hm, for some reason, he found the sun annoying — as though it had done a great slight towards him. Well, that matters not! Unwrapping himself from his blankets, the baby softly made his way to the cave’s entrance, sparing a loving look to his sleeping mother, and leaving the cave behind to search for adventure.

Dionysus, God of Wine and Madness

The first experiment was a success; Hermes was able to be born into a Divine Spirit. Hephaestus and Demeter was right: the key was in the core’s host. Maia was a Divine Spirit, so of course she would be able to give birth to a divine spirit. Sure, she was greatly weakened after Hermes’ birth, but at least she was able to do so. Now, who should be the host of Dionysus’ newly-fixed core? Finding willing women like Maia was difficult. Zeus could very well use unwilling women, but — heh — those women are for his own private matters.

His answer came in a young priestess named Semele. She was a devotee of Zeus, so she would totally agree to his requests, right? And agree she did! After all, what kind of priestess would she be if Semele didn’t follow Zeus’ commands? Zeus, however, had his doubts on Semele. Unlike Maia, she was only half-divine. Would she even have the strength needed to give birth to Dionysus? Still, she was Zeus’ best bet. Just to see his life’s work finished, he would take the bet! But things... didn’t go so well. In the middle of her “pregnancy”, Semele began complaining about a burning pain. This was normal — Maia also complained about that. But when she kept complain about it for three weeks straight, Zeus began to worry. Her body felt like it was being electrocuted and it only became more and more painful with each passing day. She couldn’t breathe correctly, couldn’t eat nor sleep without writhing in pain. But what could Zeus do? Take out the core? No, he’s spent too much time and effort — he can’t redo the process!

So... He simply let Semele burn —  her human blood unable to bear the core’s maturation. But... she would understand, right? It was all for a good cause. Sure, the baby wasn’t as developed as Hermes was when he was born, but Zeus could fix that. He was the King of the Gods, anything was possible. Picking up the small baby, he gives his thanks to the now-burnt Semele, and left for Olympus.

[bigfan-fanfic]

Grain Brain (Son of Demeter!Reader Headcanons)

Requested by @acoustickitten - another incredible requester - for a Son of Demeter with the relationship at my discretion.

Thanks for this one, I feel like there’s so little PJO reader-insert content for males! Anyway, I couldn’t decide, so the first part will be what life is like for a son of Demeter, and the second part will be the relationships, with Luke Castellan (for angst lovers), Will Solace (for the fluffy ones), and Percy Jackson (for a mixed bag). Hope you enjoy!

So, you’re a half-blood. 

Children of Demeter are often have it the worst: theoretically, they are the only demigod grandchildren of Kronos hopping along out there: Hestia is an eternal maiden. Hera doesn’t cheat. The Big Three has only had a few slip-ups since their big oath after WWII. Demeter’s the only child of Rhea out there still... producing demigod children. 

And your cabin might be the most ridiculed after Aphrodite and Dionysus in terms of combat usefulness.

The general insult for a Demeter kid is Grain Brain. Grain is such a rhymeable word that Cabin Four has been the result of many a scathing limerick from the Apollo Cabin.

But in the future, all those people will look at you as the counterexample.

Sure, Athena and Ares may have superiority in battle tactics and strength. Hermes might be sneaky and crafty and wordy. Apollo might have a huge number of seemingly-unrelated skills. Hephestus might have craftsmanship.

But you have... agriculture?

Woe betide anyone who underestimates the power of Demeter. Like Dionysus’ children, Cabin Four kids may develop some level of control over plants, specifically, anything cultivated. 

The dryads are okay with you, but the dryads connected to fruit-bearing trees practically worship you, calling you my lord. 

And especially powerful children of Demeter have some minor weather control ability. Demeter once stopped the entire world from getting any weather but scorching sun to hold it hostage for her daughter to be returned. Her children can access this power too.

Make a powerful child of Demeter angry? Clouds part, and the sun heats up like a thousand degrees, as concentrated rays of heat bake the opponent. It can even cross Camp Half-Blood’s magical weather shield.

Another thing Demeter kids have power over is food.

A Demeter kid can curse someone else with excessive hunger, or bless someone to be able to go without food indefinitely. They can also make anything taste like anything else. 

They are also often enlisted, along with the Dionysus kids, to help boost the strawberry harvest.

The berries go crazy for Hilary Duff, but early Justin Bieber and Cheetah Girls makes them bananas. So you have to choose the lesser of all evils, because these songs do NOT sound good from a satyr’s pipes.

I feel like a Demeter kid shares some healing with Apollo kids, but can only mainly heal exhaustion, dehydration, anything relating to malnourishment.

Demeter kids can eat whatever they want. 

Demeter Chrysaoros was the Lady of the Golden Sword, so don’t tell me Demeter kids can’t fight just as well as anyone else. Demeter’s sword was also made out of part of Kronos’ scythe, so she is powerful.

You are the most powerful son of Demeter in thousands of years. You might be the most powerful child of Demeter since Persephone.

You are the head counselor of Cabin Four, and you make sure everyone is hale and hearty.

Luke Castellan

Luke recognizes your power when he gets to Camp Half-Blood

And it strikes him as unfair that you might be just as powerful as Thalia, but since you weren’t a Big Three kid, you had to make your own way to camp - no seekers out looking for you.

So he and Annabeth adopt you into their little family.

Luke realizes he has fallen for you when he sees how much little Annabeth has taken a shine to you.

He’s known you for about a year when he sneaks out of Hermes cabin with a couple of smuggled Cokes and a Disney movie on cassette.

He asks you to sneak with him into the Big House. You watch the movie in the room usually reserved for the orientation video.

Your head leans on his shoulder because you are tired - it’s the middle of the night.

“Hey, uh, Y/N...”

“Mmm?”

“I really like - uh, this movie.” He can’t do it. He’s almost crying with frustration when he feels you kiss him on the cheek.

“I think I might love this movie.” You say hopefully.

Mr. D doesn’t sleep, and he’s right behind you. Shockingly, he doesn’t turn you both into dolphins, but instead ropes you into a late-night pinochle game with Chiron, who’s tail is in curlers for some reason.

It’s both the happiest and most embarrassing night in your life.

But from then on, you two are the “it” couple at camp.

You two become slightly distant after Luke’s quest, but you think it’s because he’s insecure over his new scar. There’s something missing when you two do seem to regain that lost ground.

When Percy comes to camp and beats Luke in a training duel, you congratulate him and boost his ego, telling him that everybody always ridiculed Demeter kids for not having any good talents, and that he can be good at whatever he chooses.

You are devastated when Luke betrays the gods.

He begs you to join him, but you refuse.

He kidnaps you aboard the Princess Andromeda, but you are rescued by Percy, Annabeth, and Tyson.

It was when you realized Luke was too far gone.

At the Battle of the Empire State Building, you yourself take on Kronos with all the might of your godly parent.

It’s not enough, and you are almost killed.

Luke takes back control for an instant, allowing you the chance to escape

Annabeth and you give the final blow together.

The last thing Luke sees is you.

And you know you will never meet again, not even in death, because Luke was always a pusher, and he’ll reincarnate to get to the Isles of the Blest.

Eventually you age out of Camp Half-Blood and travel the world, searching, hoping you can find happiness once more...

Will Solace

You two are the medicine couple

Feeling bad? Feeling blue? Visit Y/N and Will - odds are one of them will solve your problem.

You hang out with Will in the infirmary, handing out magical crackers that assist with healing.

During the Battle of the Labyrinth, your powers truly blossomed - you granted power to all the fruit-bearing dryads, allowing their trees to come to life and attack the opposing army. Will thought that was so cool - he brags about it every chance he gets.

You and Grover seal Hyperion into the tree during the Battle of the Empire State Building.

You and Will met during archery practice, because as an Apollo kid, he was booked to teach.

Among your numerous talents, archery is not.

You accidentally shoot him.

Although, the way you shot him was worthy of an Apollo kid - the arrow ricocheted off of like, thirteen different things before striking Will.

Not a good idea to have the best healer teach archery

But anyway, you felt so bad that you practically carried him to the Big House

And cried because you never wanted to hurt anyone

Especially not anyone as hot as Will

“Wait, what?”

“Oops.”

“Well, I think you might have to check for another wound.”

“What? Really?”

“Yup. I think you struck my heart with your arrow.”

They change the rule so that no two demigods from different cabins can be alone together because of you two.

You resolve this by camping in the woods overnight - the dryads have got your back.

Although a lot of them will try to steal Will from you, so I guess everything has its ups and downs.

Percy Jackson

At first, you were so annoyed by this sarcastic ball of insecurity.

He comes in here, insulting your godly heritage, making a mockery of all these camp activities, and then he met you

And his jaw drops open.

“Wow. Uh... who’s your godly parent?” he asks, almost in awe

“Demeter.”

He snickers. “The farming goddess?”

Yeah, that was pretty much one of the worst first impressions he could have made.

But he grew on you after a while. 

And you... he was gone from the moment you saw he had blue Coke and changed yours to match.

He takes you to meet his mom as soon as possible

And she automatically knows he’s in love because Sally Jackson always knows.

She approves because she sees how much you love him back.

The two of you just started being together one day - neither of you can really pinpoint an exact moment.

Just, somehow, you two held hands and it felt right, so you kept doing it.

And just like that, you were a couple.

Aphrodite once promised to make Percy’s love life interesting.

Well, it doesn’t get much more interesting than you.