Percy Jackson: An Endless of All

Since the day on the Beach. Months have passed in the waking world.

Time moved differently for me while in the Dreaming— But slower in the waking world, like honey poured through a sieve. And yet, I felt every moment of this pregnancy like starlight etched into bone. My body changed. My walk shifted. My belly grew.

By the seventh month, there was no denying it.

I was pregnant, round, radiant, and glowing in a way that had nothing to do with the sun.

Time to time, I would visit the waking world, under my mortal guise of Rudious, walking the coastlines, the cities, the forests. All for the single reason is to keep up an act and myself hidden from the other Gods. But no matter where I was, one thing remained constant:

Apollo kept finding me and seeking me out.

He'd appear out of golden mist with gifts — fresh dates and figs, bronze jewelry, tunics he swore were "blessed by the Muses," and always, always more food. Sweet breads, roast lamb, spiced olives. He claimed he just wanted to "feed my cravings."

But let's be real — he also just liked spending time with me, because once the child is born, he could not spend any time with me and the child, but that's only for the demi-god they have. However, our child is different and, for now, will remain a secret.

Once out of my thoughts, he asked:

"Let's walk," he'd say. "You need fresh air."

"I am already breathing some air," I'd reply. "But fine."

So we'd wander the cliffs. Or sneak off to private vineyards. Or lay under fig trees while he whispered ancient songs into my ear. He loved to place his head on my stomach, listening as the child kicked, bright-eyed, fascinated, obsessed.

He'd laugh. Smile. Trace my skin with sun-warm fingertips. Kiss the curve of my belly like it was sacred. He was smitten.

And so distracted by his mortal love and sex life that Olympus noticed.

Meanwhile, on Mount Olympus…and as I watched from my realm

The gods had begun whispering. Muttering. Watching Apollo miss council meetings. Skip sunrise duties. Leave his temples early to "go check on his mortal."

Hera was the first to speak it aloud: "Where is Apollo? He hasn't fulfilled three of his sun cycles this week." This is surprising for her because she hated most of Zeus' children who came out of wedlock and cheating. It is because Zeus is practically spitting on her domain of marriage.

"I heard he knocked up a mortal," Hermes snorted.

"A male mortal," added Artemis, rolling her eyes.

"Impossible," Athena said, though her curiosity was piqued. Says the Goddess who has brain babies.

It was then that the golden god himself strolled into the palace halls — late, glowing, and grinning like a lovesick fool.

"You're all just jealous," Apollo declared with pride, throwing a lazy arm over Hermes' shoulder. "Because I got a hot, mortal to be my baby daddy and pregnant. That's right — I did that. With a man. And he's gorgeous. Big bubble butt, sharp tongue, smarter than half of Olympus."

There was stunned silence.

And then chaos began.

Poseidon chuckled and said, "Wait… we can do that now?" Barely noticed your a god i chuckle while in my realm.

Hermes, eyebrows raised, looked thoughtful. "I have been spending time with a poet in Athens who has very soft hands…" Not surprising, I thought.

Ares leaned forward. "So you're saying we can get men pregnant if we try hard enough?" he said with a smirk. "I feel sorry for the poor man who he seeks to bed, but on second thought, he is hot and very buff, and probably great in bed. So, that means he likes his partners to take it hard and rough. Wouldn't mind a chance," I thought. What? And don't call me a slut for thinking so, but we will see if it happens or not.

Zeus, eyes narrowing, saw the danger immediately. However, I bet he was thinking it was another way to get his dick wet and off. He didn't state so out loud because Hera was glaring at him. After all, she just had a feeling.

"Absolutely not," Zeus barked. "Do you realize what this means? If we all start impregnating mortals — male or female — we'll have more demigods than we already do!"

"I don't see the problem," said Aphrodite, smirking. "More love, more stories." Of course, the goddess of love will say so. 

"We're already overflowing with half-bloods," Hera snapped. "Now you're telling me we'll have twice the scandal?" Poor Hera. What can you do with horny gods?

Apollo shrugged, utterly unapologetic. "You're just mad you didn't think of it first." That statement was towards Zeus. Which made him pull an angry face.

All this leads to an Order from Olympus to all gods and goddesses, from major to minor.

Eventually, after much shouting and dramatic monologuing, Zeus — ever the control freak — stood and slammed his lightning bolt.

"Enough!

From this day forth, a new law shall be written:

No male god may impregnate a mortal male more than twice a year. (Twice? I bet he and others won't keep to that rule.)

If violated, punishment shall be swift, painful, and publicly humiliating." (I highly doubt so because he would probably be the first to break the law.)

There was grumbling. Ares rolled his eyes. Hermes smirked. Dionysus just toasted his cup.

But the law was passed.

Even so, it didn't stop the curiosity… and many gods began to look at mortal men in new ways, wondering just what Apollo had done — and whether they could do it too.

Which they can, and I'm glad about the rule, though, because let's be honest, they can fuck their way through a whole village. Once their council meeting was over and I got some work done. I head back to the waking world.

Back in the Waking World…

I sat beneath a fig tree, my hand resting gently on my belly, watching the sun dip below the horizon.

Apollo appeared beside me, golden as ever, holding a crown of wildflowers.

"I caused an argument on Olympus," he said, grinning. "You'd be proud."

I chuckled. "I am proud."

He kissed me softly, then knelt, pressing his cheek against the curve of my stomach. "We're so close," he whispered. "I can feel him. He's going to be strong. Glorious."

He didn't know about the prophecy yet.Didn't know the power inside our child — born of light and dream — would one day shape the magical future of the world.

But he would.

Soon.

Because the birth was near.And with it… destiny.