I thought about clicking no and turning around, but she looked up at me and smiled warmly, almost like she knew I'd been there the whole time.
"Perseus Jackson."
The quest accepted itself....
Fuck.
I bowed slightly, unsure of how to act in her presence. Just about the only thing I remembered from class was how easily the gods felt disrespected. They jumped to conclusions faster than insecure girlfriends.
"My lady."
"Come," Hestia gestured to the spot next to her. She patted it a few times, "Sit."
I felt nervous, but at this stage in my life, if any Olympian tells me to do anything, you'd better believe I'm going to do it. With my mom's life on the line and this budding video game thing, getting put in the ground at the age of twelve would be a real bummer. Earlier, I wasn't too on edge with Mr. D, mainly cause Chiron was there, and I was semi-comfortable with Poseidon, you know, cause he's my dad.
Chances were, neither of them would make an outwardly aggressive move on me. Hestia, though? I had no idea what she'd consider offensive and how she'd handle it, and I wasn't too keen on being vaporized on the spot. I've been worrying about that more often than I ever thought I would, recently.
I sat down next to her, trying to keep a respectful distance. I watched her tend to the hearth for a few moments. She poked the coals back towards the flames. As I took a glance into the hearth, I saw visions. My mother and I, chasing after seagulls at Montauk.
My fifth birthday, when my Mom had rented out a section of the aquarium and got me a blue cake. One of the nights I'd spent, crying into her arms the whole night because some kids at school had made fun of me for not having a dad—wow.
That one was from years ago. I saw her again. This time, she was resting in a bed somewhere in the Underworld. She moved a bit in her sleep, mumbling something that I couldn't quite make out. A smile worked its way onto my face. At least she was safe.
"You don't need to be so on edge around me, Perseus. It's been a great many years since anyone at this camp has noticed me," Hestia told me, prying my eyes away from the fire. "Most just walk by, too busy in their own lives to sit and talk. Some do notice but don't care enough. You, Perseus, sought me out. I feel no inclination to harm you, in any way, shape, or form. I must admit though, I'm curious. Why is it that you came over here?"
"I could feel your godly power from my cabin," I answered, watching the dying embers float into the night sky. The summer breeze blew pleasantly, and the embers crashed into each other softly, like fireflies. "I was curious."
"Hm," Hestia hummed lightly.
"So, is it power that you seek?"
"Well, no. I don't think so," I said, leaning back with my hands on the grass, subconsciously noticing the fact that I was mirroring my dad's action from earlier. I knew it had to do with Hestia's powers, but I felt so incredibly comfortable. It felt like someone had sunken me into a nice warm bath, and given me a steaming mug of hot cocoa, to top it all off. I was so relaxed. So comfortable. All I wanted to do was tell her everything on my mind. "I really just want my mom back. I guess that's kind of my main focus right now."
Hestia nodded, smiling at me again. I couldn't help but smile at her appraising look. "I know what has happened. My little brothers can be…challenging to work with at times."
That's right! Hestia was the firstborn of Kronos. That made her my aunt. I smiled at her honest admission. "That's true. I guess it doesn't matter, though. I'd work with whoever I had to if it meant that I could have my mom back."
I could tell that made her really happy. The hearth glowed a little brighter. "Really? What if I told you I could get your mother back right now? Would you like that?"
What? "Yes. Of course. I'd do anything for that." "Even now?" She questioned, gesturing around us. The hearth crackled, "Perseus, your father and I speak often. Perhaps you won't believe me, but he's made attempts over the years to convince your mother to change her mind and raise you in Atlantis. I'm not sure entirely what you've been through, but I'd imagine even the best mortal life could scarcely compare to being raised as royalty, in a kingdom all your own, no? Do you still feel the same, knowing she hid all of this from you? Knowing that she declined your father's offer to raise you in Atlantis?"
"I...well," Hestia stumped me for a moment. I'd been so caught up in the quest and the overwhelming amount of stuff to learn about this new world, I'd almost forgotten about everything else. It took me a few minutes to find the right words.
"Yes. While I...I don't know if I agree that declining my father was the best move, knowing what I know now about my childhood, I still can't deny the fact that my mother gave up everything for me to have a chance at a happy, normal life. I mean, you're totally right. Being a prince in Atlantis just sounds cooler than growing up in a one-bedroom apartment, but…I don't know. Even if wasn't a lot, she still gave up everything for me. So, I guess I'd give up everything for her to be able to do the things she never got the chance to do while she was protecting me."
"And your father?" Hestia continued, resting her head on her knees as she rocked back and forth, humming. "Do you not resent him for leaving you and your mother alone? Should he not have tried harder? Don't you think your mother would have eventually caved?"
"I do. For the longest time, I hated him with almost everything I had," I said, some of my past feelings of hatred and sadness bubbling back up. I remembered the warm glow I felt beside him when we sat on the dock. "I guess I still don't understand leaving your wife and son alone. Knowing he tried makes it feel a little better, but the wound is still there, you know?"
Hestia nodded, smiling at me, "And?"
"Well, I guess I never considered his own responsibilities. Being the lord over every body of water in the world, being an Olympian...I don't know, I guess it never dawned on me that he had so much on his plate. Even then, I still remember him visiting me as a child. I don't, well, I guess I don't resent him as much anymore. Especially if what you're saying is true."
"The life of a demigod is hard," Hestia said softly. "Especially one born to an elder god. You truly don't resent him for your birth?"
"My birth?" I repeated. "Oh. Well, you sit here often, you said. Do demigods generally have the viewpoint that they should have never been born?"
Hestia shrugged, a tear of fire rolling down her cheek. "Some demigods resent their parents for their existence. They claim they never asked to be brought into this world, just to be ignored and left out to dry. More than you would assume, actually."
"Well, I guess they have a point," I conceded. "I never asked to be brought into this world, either. Especially if my fate is to live a tough life. Still, though, if I hadn't been born to my father and my mother, I would've never gotten to experience the life I have. All those times with my mom, all those memories we made together. None of that would have happened. I guess it's hardly fair for me to say that, knowing that other demigods have it worse, but personally, I'd do it all over again without changing a thing."
Hestia's smile brightened. Before I could even ask, she leaned forward and hugged me. My eyes widened. It didn't even feel like a hug—it felt like pure warmth cocooning around me. I was safe. I was comfortable. I was warm. The hug stirred feelings in me that I hadn't felt since I was a kid. Complete safety and security. I wasn't worried about anything—I felt untouchable, happy. Content. Before I even knew it, tears were rolling down my face. How long had it been since I'd been held like this? Hestia pulled away. She smiled at me again, wiping away my tears.
"Perseus Jackson, you bear the flame of Olympus—I haven't felt it in a demigod in years. I know that you'll save her. There's no doubt in my mind."
Hestia's appearance changed. She still wore a brown dress, but now she seemed much older. Her hair was tucked into a linen shawl, and she grew taller and more mature-looking. She closed her eyes. A few moments later, my body lit up in a pale red light. That warmth that I had felt when Hestia held me was back, swirling, and roaring inside of me.
— - —
~ By successfully impressing your aunt and becoming her champion, of sorts, you've been granted the following skills:
[Skill]: Pyrokinesis
[System Denomination]: Active
[Attribute Group]: WIS
[Level]: 1
[Description]: As the champion of the Goddess of the Hearth, you possess divine authority over fire. Flames under your control burn with a richer, deeper red hue than ordinary fire— harnessing this power allows you to shape and intensify the flames to suit your needs, from offensive strikes to creating protective walls of fire.
[Leveling]: At [Level 1], your control over flames is rudimentary: you can conjure small bursts of fire and maintain them for brief periods. Greater emotional focus increases the heat and impact, but risks losing precision. As the skill grows, you'll gain finer manipulation over fire (larger areas, higher temperatures, and more complex shapes), while reducing the risk of it raging out of control.
[Mana Cost]: [300 MP/S]!
— - — — - —
[Perk]: Food Generation
[System Denomination]: Active
[Attribute Group]: WIS
[Level]: N/A
[Description]: Call upon Hestia's gift of hospitality to conjure food and drink. With a simple thought, you can manifest delicious meals, nourishing anyone in need. This power not only satiates hunger but can also boost morale, making it invaluable in dire situations or group settings.
[Mana Cost]: [300 MP] per activation!
— - — — - —
[Skill]: Serenity Inducement
[System Denomination]: Active
[Attribute Group]: WIS
[Level]: 1
[Description]: Channel the calming essence of the Hearth Goddess to envelop those around you in a soothing aura. By focusing on tranquility, you can diffuse tense situations and bring about a sense of peace in allies and enemies alike.
[Leveling]: At [Level 1], you can induce a mild sense of calm within a small radius, affecting only a handful of targets at once. Its duration and potency depend on your emotional control and the targets' mental resilience. As you grow in skill, you'll expand the range, intensity, and duration of the effect, giving you the power to quell chaotic crowds or ease distress on the battlefield.
[Mana Cost]: [100 MP/S]!
— - —
My jaw dropped at all of the skills. Maybe, just maybe, getting my mom back and finding this thief wouldn't be so bad after all.
— - —
Quest Complete!
[SIDE QUEST] {Student of the Game [I]}
[Quest Prompt]: Annabeth has called you out for a sparring match—she's curious whether your victory over the Minotaur was pure luck or genuine talent. Step into the arena and prove that your combat prowess is more than a one-time stunt.
[Total Rewards Earned]:
[+][500][EXP]!
Unlocked the {Student of the Game [II]} quest line!
— - — — - —
Quest Complete!
[SIDE QUEST] {We are the Champions!}
[Quest Prompt]: You've spotted Hestia, the usually unassuming goddess of the hearth, sitting quietly in the center of Camp HalfBlood all by herself. Approach her and strike up a conversation —there may be more to her presence than meets the eye.
[Total Rewards Earned]:
[Variable]
boost in reputation! [+][1000][REP] with Hestia!
[+][2000][EXP]!
[+][5][AP]!
[+][Hestia's Favored] title!
— - —
A surprise bonus chapter for you today! It's a long one, so enjoy. :D
If you enjoyed this chapter, remember: every 300 power stones unlocks a bonus chapter, so your support really helps keep the story rolling. And if you want to go further, you can also support me on Patreon: patreon.com/Aurelius DBlack (without the space before the 'D'). Or just write a review.