Percy Jackson : Gods Annihilation

"You see, a key difference between myself and so many of other deities currently in opposition to the new protogenoi is one thing; the willingness to change. And that all begins at the moment I made my worst mistake since banishing my daughter. I struck her down."

...

Atlas stopped as he seeming to look far past her, his shoulders slouching before his voice came far more tired and almost defeated then anything she's ever heard before.

"Calypso was my favorite, much as I deny it and the loss of her left me bitterer after the first war than the defeat itself. Sure, I fought willingly and to my best but wouldn't you also fight against some upstarts instigating rebellion and anarchy with their actions.

Our rule wasn't pleasant under Kronos but there was general order only for everything to be thrown in disarray with the legitimate princes and princesses of the throne fighting against their father rather than say, moving away and living their own lives once they escaped their imprisonment.

Would Kronos have chased them to the ends of the earth in fear of them ever gaining enough power to truly challenge him? Undoubtedly just as you can't tell me Zeus and his council wouldn't have tried to attack or gain control over the new council under Jackson for the same reasons."

Atlas then shook his head as he continued on. "War would have been inevitable, only this time Jackson was far more prepared and more powerful, keeping the Olympians in the backpedal and corralled, removing certain forces and strategies to try and overwhelm them quickly while minimizing loses on both ends save for the Olympian council themselves," he said before pausing.

"Tangents aside, it was the loss of my daughter that truly brought about my hatred for the Olympians, only going on their word that she was even safe though alone rather than turned into some personal whore for them on her island," he spat, the disgust and venom in his voice making Annabeth take a step back.

Atlas then sighed as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Of course it was also my own folly to try and keep my other daughters isolated and protected before the war even began and then more so after I was imprisoned, commanding Ladon to keep an eye on them from all others.

It was this restriction that led to Zoe jumping at the chance of escape and living beyond the walls of a garden, even going as far as converting her own divinity into the essence of a powerful weapon in hopes of having Hercules take her and we all know how that went.

And yet all I could see was one of my daughters trying to abandon me and so I banished her, uncaring of the fact that she was little more than child with no experience of the ways of the world. In a way it was a blessing that the moon goddess found her, even if it only suited to fill my daughter with hatred in turn."

Atlas then returned to 'looking' at Annabeth.

"Sadly even my regret was overturned to anger and bitterness as I lost another daughter to the Olympians and then the war came. I was so concerned with them and my revenge that I didn't care about trying to reconnect with my daughter." Atlas then paused as he looked at his own trembling hands.

"I felt so powerful and free … only to truly realize what I'd done after I was imprisoned again. When I saw her constellation and remembered her as I'd stabbed her, I felt nothing but disgust and self-loathing, almost begging for someone to truly end me … and then my aunt and the other Jackson, Andromeda, gave me a chance." Atlas raised his head as his fists clenched up.

"I got to speak with her again, if only briefly and apologize for what I'd done, if only to settle some of that guilt but it will never wash away my full crime. Then Lady Styx offered me the positon in service to her and even offered to take in my daughters as well, safe and sound."

"So does that mean …?"

"No. My lady is their patron but not under permanent service like myself. I wished for them to have a choice for their futures and my lady accepted it which I am forever thankful for. They are now oath keepers as well, working in tandem around the mountain and living peacefully which is all I can ask for," he said with a heavy sigh at the end.

"The loss of my eyes was a willing sacrifice on my part, meant to suite as a blessing and curse."

Annabeth tilted her head to the side in confusion at that, unsure of what he meant by blessing and curse. Luckily, he elaborated.

"I never have to see my own face, one that still brings me shame, ever again but … I can never see the smiling faces of my daughters, witness the day they dress in white and walk to their significant other, or lay eyes on those that I could call grandchildren … for I do not deserve such honors," he finished, leaving a shocked and silent goddess as she stared at him. "That goddess, is why I am at peace and even grateful for my current position in life."

Without another word he continued walking, leaving Annabeth several paces behind and she shook herself from her stupor to follow along. The pair walked in renewed silence then as they passed a second set of gates, these manned by minor gods from what she could tell and judging by the sour looks, they knew who and what she was too.

The doors opened soundlessly allowing both deities to pass uninterrupted and into the city proper from what Annabeth could see. Her breath hitched slightly as she marveled at the beautiful structures carved of marble and obsidian, using fusions of Greco-Roman and Anglo-Saxon designs for the homes, elevated walkways above the lower merchant streets leading to private homes.

She watched in awe as gods and mortals of all kinds got about their day, simply living as if the war wasn't happening right now. She walked as if in a trance, trying to take in every detail around her as she followed Atlas. She was surprised to see him receiving nods and small head bows, or greetings as even some kids ran past, shouting greetings to 'Mr. Atlas' with all smiles to which he returned as he moved on.

"They respect you here," she murmured as she looked around, surprised that she received some greetings as well but she noted that they were mortals while the other gods tended to stay back.

Atlas grunted before replying. "It is appreciated. They know I am an oath keeper and protector of this city, one of many in fact. After all, neither the mountain itself nor even the city matter but its residents. They are the life of it and we are sworn to protect them.

You see Chase, this is a home, a safe haven where all walks of life mingle in peace. Parents rest at ease even as their children play beyond their line of sight or even after dark, where one does not have to look over their shoulder on their walk home after a long day. I doubt any city around this world could boast the same and mean it."

"How?" was all Annabeth could ask.

"Oath of Citizenship," he replied easily. "All follow it as iron clad rules that render all equal within the city, be they mortal or god. No violence, regardless of what may be the reason behind it save for in sanction spars and duels within the arena to name one. Also, you do feel that barrier correct?"

At Annabeth's nod he continued.

"Once upon a time barriers were created with an idea and will of a god or being capable of using magic before being implemented. Runes later came into play to stabilize and prolong the effects, maybe to separate the need for constant and direct intervention from the castor.

Yet nowadays humans program computers and codes thousands of times more complex and intricate then the most extensive rune scape. What covers this city is a barrier coded and composed of a completely new runic language, built and layered under the direction of Styx and initially powered by the entire council."

At her awed expression he continued, "Self-updating, capable of reporting any change to Styx with a full sentient awareness comparable to the most advanced A.I.s, able to detect malignant intention and isolating possible risks to the city or its' populace.

You could say that the central control rune or processor is blessed by several of the protogenoi, Nico's domain of Judgement to be fully unbiased in regards to law, Andromeda's domain of Desire and so finding even the most hidden goals, and Jackson's domain of Darkness, something that goes beyond the physical manifestation but to see the malice we all are capable of harboring within our hearts.

You see Chase, this is the potential and ability when divine beings use joint efforts, they create things beyond the wildest expectations."

Having finished Atlas continued to walk as Annabeth followed, her own thoughts racing through the ability and implementation of such a system. The complexity and time taken to create it alone must have been staggering. However that left her with another question.

"But what about the people? Can they truly being happy knowing that they're under constant watch?"

"No society or community can form and last without a joint agreement in rules and concession of certain liberties and freedoms Chase, otherwise it is anarchy with sentient beings degrading to their most primal urges and self-importance over the rest.

There isn't anyone living here that wasn't made aware of the rules beforehand and those that didn't due to the rules, being exclusively some gods as of yet, were wiped of the memories and left to their own devices wherever they came from," Atlas replied without looking back.

"Memories wiped?"

"Gods are petty and selfish beings Chase. Do you really trust some slighted god to keep quiet over the existence and location of a city when they could simply rat it out just to spite those that dared defy them?" Annabeth's silence spoke volumes.

"I thought as much, though having memories wiped is unnecessary now that the city is revealed and if someone that is invited to live here does not swear, then they are kindly but firmly escorted out, simple as that."

"And if the council turns to abusing such power?" Annabeth asked skeptically, knowing the saying about absolute power and all that.

"The council has its own extra oath sworn on the name of Lady Chaos meant specifically to counter such degradation. She is their true and final check in power, along with their own rules to prevent any one member gaining advantage over the others. After all, would you be willing to break an oath on Her name?" he asked.

Annabeth paled at the thought, actually feeling as if daring to go against such an oath would lead to having her very essence painfully torn from her.

She was sure Fading would be the least of her worries if she did such a thing and knew even as powerful as Percy was, he did not so much as hold a candle to Chaos. Shaking her head of the thoughts, they walked on in silence as they ascended through the city, stores decreasing in number and more homes being apparent.

At one point that crossed a large building that reminded Annabeth slightly of a Church though without any obvious crosses or other such signs but only in design. Outside in a rather large yard with a few trees were dozens of children milling around playing with several nymphs, wolves, and some mortals playing with them.

She even spotted some minor goddesses amongst them much to her shock before noticing a small sign near the path leading to the building that red "Leto's Orphanage".

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Don't forget to throw some power Stones, to keep the story going.

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