Artemis
Sally Jackson was looking at her parents' grave.
Jim and Estelle Jackson had been two good, kind, caring people. They had raised her and been the best parents a girl could have ever asked for.
They had supported her dreams, and now Sally would have to take care of herself, knowing that her uncle would never help or support her.
Never.
“A young woman like you should not have to bear the burdens that afflict you.”
Sally gasped, turning and looking at the woman next to her.
The little girl next to her.
She had auburn hair, braided into a braid with a silver thread in it. Her eyes had the reflections of the Moon.
And Sally could see the silver bow the girl had around her shoulders.
“I don't think I've ever seen a girl in cosplay in a cemetery.” Sally murmured, returning her gaze to her parents' gravestones. “It's not very respectful, I might add.”
The little girl raised an eyebrow, before muttering. “Do you see through the Mist? I'm surprised I didn't find you sooner, then.”
“I will not be part of any cult, I regret to inform you.” Sally stared at her, before walking away and heading towards her parents' house. “And I would like to be left alone, at least today.”
“I am not part of some cult, but of a place where women are protected, respected and where they fight for their rights.”
“Women are fighting for their rights everywhere.” Sally retorted. “Not just in one place.”
“But they are neither protected nor respected.” The little girl replied. “I am offering you a new family.”
“Who the hell you think you are, coming on the worst day of my life to talk about family?” Sally growled at her. “I just buried my parents!”
“I am Artemis, goddess of the Hunt and the Moon.” The little girl replied.
Sally snorted. “Of course, and I'm a princess.”
Artemis smiled softly. “Do you want a demonstration, child?”
Sally stared at her. She was only fourteen, but the little girl in front of her was at least two years younger. Being called a child by her was somehow offensive.
“Sure, please enlighten me.”
Artemis moved one of her hands, and a deer appeared in the middle of the road.
Sally heard her breath catch. It was beautiful. Golden, graceful and silent. It looked like a ray of sunshine rendered into an animal, eternal and imperishable.
It seemed like a miracle.
“I could do so much more.” Artemis promised. “But I wanted to show you my sacred animal more than anything.”
Sally swallowed. “Are the things I see real?”
Artemis nodded, something akin to pity in her gaze. "I am sorry. Mortals with clear sight always attract the attention of the gods. One of the others will come to you soon.”
“I can't join your Hunters.” Sally answered instead. “I have dreams, a future that I want to see realized. I won't leave it aside. I promised it to my parents and, above all, to myself.”
"I understand." Artemis nodded, her gaze proud, stricken and sad. “It's always a shame to see young people lose themselves for young love, but I guess…”
“It's not young love, just self-respect and love for myself.” Sally replied.
“I wish you good luck, Sally Jackson.” Artemis told her.
"I appreciate it." Sally smiled. “You too, Lady Artemis.”
Poseidon
Artemis had warned her that she would attract the attention of a god, Sally reflected. Although, it was probably Sally's fault in this case. After all, she had tried to rob him.
The man had raised an eyebrow before saying “It was not a successful attempt.” waving his giant fork in front of the 19-year-old's eyes.
"Maybe not." Sally conceded. “But I really need that fork for a few minutes.”
“Not a fork.” The man had told her. "A Trident."
"Wait." Sally had timed out with her hands. “Is that thing really a trident?”
"Yes."
“Are you Poseidon?”
"Yes." Poseidon nodded, before looking surprised at Sally's lack of amazement. “Aren't you shocked to learn that the Greek Gods still exist?”
"Not exactly. I already met Artemide a few years ago.” Sally shrugged. “Anyway, there are some men who are hurting fish-ponies, so if you want…”
Poseidon's eyes had shone stormily and he had promised. “I'll take care of it.”
And then, they went to dinner together.
And Sally couldn't help but fall a little in love with that god.
Hera
A three year old was challenging.
A demigod was even more.
A son of Poseidon was almost impossible to handle.
She never managed to get him to eat, baths were an unmanageable task, given that Percy loved creating waves with the water in the tub.
Sally had also been looking for a way to hide her son's scent from the monsters.
Gabe Ugliano had been the perfect way to solve that problem.
“Don't marry him.”
The day before her wedding, Sally was arranging her son's new room, keeping him as safe as possible from Gabe himself, when a voice made her jump and turn.
In front of her, a woman with a regal face and brown eyes stared at her, a blond child held tightly in her arms.
“Mom, who is this lady?” Percy asked, gently tugging on his mother's pants, half hidden behind her.
Sally took a deep breath. She had become better, as she grew, at seeing auras around gods, monsters, and even mortals.
It was because of this that she had recognized the Cyclops for what it was. It was thanks to this that she was able to see Gabe's aura and consider it a sufficient cover to hide her son.
And, now, the aura of the gods was around the woman.
She was a goddess. A goddess before her forbidden son.
“Percy, why don't you wait for me over there and leave me and our guest here to talk?” Sally spoke to her son.
The woman smiled. “It seems like an excellent idea to me. Jason could come with you.”
The blond blinked, before smiling when he saw Percy. "Hi!"
"Hi!" Percy replied, a huge smile on his toothless mouth, before reaching out and taking Jason's hand. "Come with me! Mom makes the best cookies in the world!”
"Wow! Really!"
The two children ran out of the room, and Sally stared at the goddess before her.
“My brother always had better taste in lovers than my husband.” The goddess murmured. “I think that's what makes Amphitrite so forgiving of her husband's escapades, and me so portrayed as jealous in the stories passed down during the time.”
“Queen Hera, I presume.” Sally spoke, a terrified look on her face.
“I'm not here to kill your son, Sally.” Hera spoke. “And not even to report it to my husband. I don't agree with avoiding prophecies. And my husband has no room to scold Poseidon. He also broke his oath.”
“Jason?” Sally understood.
“No, he is the son of the Roman side of Zeus. Jupiter." Hera replied. “I'm talking about Jason's older sister, Thalia Grace. A girl cursed by the Styx."
“Is my son cursed because of Poseidon's broken oath?” Sally asked, scared for her son.
“The will of Fate is difficult to discern. It is not the gods' job to interfere, although certain circ*mstances can be helped.” Hera admitted. “I can tell you that your son's future will be difficult. Almost too much for a child. And I'm here to offer you my advice.”
Sally nodded.
It would have been stupid to reject Hera's advice just because of the myths. Indeed, the ease with which Hera could curse mortals who annoyed her must have been an incentive to be on their best behavior with her.
“I’m listening.”
“You know my family history, don't you?” Hera asked her. “You know why we came to power, right?”
“To protect you from your father.” Sally replied.
"Very good." Hera smiled. “I always knew Poseidon had the best taste in the family. Not for nothing, he rejected Athena many times. Now, do you know what happened after our father was defeated?”
“You ruled the world.” Sally murmured.
"And then? What other enemies have arisen against us?”
“Did Terra ask for revenge?” Sally proposed.
"Very good. Terra sought revenge for how we deposed her son, even though she offered us help many times. Both to us and to our mother against Kronos himself.” Hera nodded, a laconic look on her face. “My grandmother was a good and kind goddess, before her husband ruined her essence. Many immortals grow bitter over time, their domain chipped and battered, and their essences ruined. It was Terra's fate, I'm afraid. And, after Kronos was defeated, Terra sought revenge, with the second generation of her children."
“I don't understand why it matters.” Sally replied. “And what does that have to do with my son.”
“My husband can hide all he wants, but I know Terra has already tried to wake up, and a demigoddess stopped her. But she couldn't defeat her. Other demigods will have to help her in this quest.”
Sally blinked, before turning pale. "My son?"
“He will be among them.” Hera nodded. “Just as it will be in the battle against my father. I can predict it. What role he will play is still uncertain, but I know he will have a role."
“You had some advice for me.” Sally murmured, feeling tired and upset. Her baby. Her poor and innocent baby.
“Don't marry Gabriel Ugliano. That man is an offense to all the gods’ domains. If you take my advice, I will make him disappear forever. What you would have gained by being with him will still be offered to you. You will have a stable job, you will not have to fear hunger and be without shelter. And your child will be safe from monsters. Just as you will be.”
"I understand." Sally bowed her head. “It is a generous offer, my lady.”
“In exchange, I want you to raise Jason too. He's my champion. Jupiter promised it to me to calm my anger at being cheated on twice with the same undeserving woman. My stupid husband has not yet understood that my main problem is the choice of lovers he makes. So proud and greedy, wanting so much more than they deserve, wanting to become queens of the gods. As if Zeus would ever leave me for them.” Hera shook her head. “Anyway, you raise him. Treat him like a son."
“And his sister? Thalia?”
“It is no longer possible to save her.” Hera shook her head. “She already ran away from home. I'm sure that when Percy meets her, he can tell her about Jason and invite her to join them."
Sally nodded. "I understand. Can I know why?"
“I know my brother's children. Many of them become too wild to live in the mortal world.” Hera assessed Sally. “I see your heart and I know that you will be a good mother to him, that you will teach him to be a true hero. But his powers will grow, and he will need supporters. He will need someone who will be there for him and who will be never afraid of him. I fear that other demigods will shun and fear him. I have already seen my nephews lose their will to live because of this. I don't want to see it happen again." Hera swallowed. “And I need support for what I'm preparing. A woman called queen by my brother seems to be my best option.”
“Do you want the Greeks and Romans to collaborate?” Sally asked. “And Jason and my son will be the main points of this exchange, won't they? If they are already friends, if they are already family, they will have an easier time vouching for each other when the time comes.”
Hera smiled. “My brother was right.”
"What do you mean?"
“A goddess among mortals.” Hera nodded. “So, Sally Jackson? What is your answer?"
"I will help you." Sally replied. “I will help you with your plan.”
“Thank you, Sally Jackson. And good luck."
