LoSP Side Story Ch.5: Wisdom's War

This story is set at chapter 17 of LoSP: The Sea Goes to War. While Percy fought Tethys and Oceanus, Athena battled her own opponent, Theia, and was later followed by Oceanus himself.

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A bellow of rage echoed through the deck and in a flash of silver and bronze, the fountain was sliced in half, the Iris message dissolving. I glanced at Percy, who was smirking as the traitor, the son of Hermes, who glared at him.

“Kronos was right, Percy.” The traitor scowled. “You need to be replaced.”

I frowned. What did he mean by replacing Percy?

My attention was drawn away from the Castellan boy as I felt two powerful signatures near us. The door behind the boy swung open, and two Titanesses walked onto the deck, both of them freezing as they laid their eyes on me.

I had been made.

Beside me, Percy tensed, his sword inching higher, apparently having deduced the same.

“You! How did you come here?” Theia’s shrill scream cut through the sound of the waves as her torso glowed, her armor and sword appearing.

“She’s Jackson’s friend, Annabeth.” Luke rolled his eyes. “I am sure we can—”

“Shut up, you idiot!” Tethys sneered at the traitor. “That is Athena. The wisdom goddess herself!”

Well, it was nice to be feared. With a thought, my disguise faded away, the Camp Half-blood t-shirt melting into a full body armor as my body aged to my usual form. My spear appeared in my hand and my Aegis spiraled onto my arm.

If the disguise was useless, it was not needed. Better take every advantage I could.

“What? No! This is…” The traitor sputtered as several of his allies backed away from me.

“SURPRISE!” Percy yelled, charging toward the Titaness of the Sea in a blur, backhanding the traitor on his way.

The Castellan boy flew across the deck, slamming against a wall just as Percy’s sword met Tethys’ trident. A shockwave rippled across the deck, sending the assembled Titan army stumbling.

I took the cue and strode across the deck, slashing my spear at the Titaness of Splendor who barely parried it in time. Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw Tethys hurtle across the deck, crashing into her own army of demigods and monsters, disappearing amongst the bodies.

Theia swung her sword, the golden blade screeching across the surface of my Aegis. Ichor pumped in my ears, my heart hammering in my chest like the drums of war.

I called upon my domain of war. The flow of battle ebbed into my veins as my spear blurred, hammering blows toward the Titaness which she barely defended herself against. The Titaness backed away, her muscles tensing.

She wanted to flee. She knew she was no match for me. I was the goddess of wisdom and warfare. I was one of the greatest warriors to walk on Earth. And my opponent was nothing but a rich princess.

The butt of my spear struck Theia in the abdomen, a pained hiss escaping her lips.

I felt a tingle down my spine and raised my shield just as three blasts of Greek fire rocked the deck, blowing monsters to dust.

‘Percy.’

I looked at the boy who was moving his hand, the water in the pool rising on his whims, speeding toward Tethys, who had barely gotten back to her feet.

‘Stupid boy. She is a goddess of the sea.’ I felt a weight drop in my stomach while I absently parried a sword strike from Theia.

Tethys raised her hand to stop the water, and I felt goosebumps rise on my arms. A power beyond the gods.

The water, instead of stopping, slammed into Tethys, throwing her off the ship, into the ocean.

‘She must’ve broken the laws.’ I watched as Percy leaped after her into the ocean.

It was a wise call. To confront a powerless enemy in the place where he was at his strongest. I had trained the boy myself and knew that Tethys wouldn’t survive him if he went all out on her. Not without her powers.

Powers, that she couldn’t use.

Also, it gave me the option to face Theia with all my power without worrying about allies. Anywhere I attacked, I would take down an enemy.

My shield hammered into Theia, sending the Titaness stumbling. A brave demigod charged at me with a yell, his Xiphos raised high. My mind worked between the ticks of the clock as I moved, allowing the sword to pass me unharmed before sticking out my leg.

The demigod tripped, falling on his face, his sword skittering out of his hands. Ichor pounded in my ears, the urge to kill the enemy growing in my veins.

‘Percy wouldn’t want that.’ I stomped on the demigod’s head, and knocked him out, simultaneously raising my Aegis to block a strike from Theia.

The Titaness growled, her sword glowing with power which burst into sparks against the Aegis. I rolled my eyes as she gave me a surprised look before dislodging her sword. I slashed my spear in a feint, and stabbed it with all the force I could muster.

The spear pierced through Theia’s left shoulder and she let out a guttural yell. A shockwave of power erupted and everything around us was blown back as it washed across the deck.

Most of the hellhounds that had remained after the blasts of Greek fire burst into dust, their golden remains scattering in the sea breeze. Demigods were blown back, her own army taking the brunt of the damage in addition to the ship itself.

On the other hand, I remained unmoved from my position. Twisting my spear I pulled it out and Theia screamed. Her hand glowed a brilliant golden, a beam of pure divine energy blasting toward me at point-blank range.

The beam of energy burst into sparks against Medusa’s face with tremendous force, sending me skidding a few feet away.

If that was how she wanted to play…

My spear glowed a brilliant golden and I charged toward Theia who responded with equal ferocity.

But she was no match. The tip of my spear tore through her armor plate, leaving a deep gash on her side moments before the other end of my spear hammered into her knee, sending her stumbling away.

A rogue cyclops ran toward me, a huge war hammer glinting in the monster’s hand. I slipped forward, driving the spear through his gut and using the body as leverage to turn back around.

The cyclops burst into dust as I strode toward Theia, my spear a golden-bronze blur.

A shield of golden energy materialized between us, my spear bouncing off it. The Titaness scrambled back as I slammed the Aegis against the golden shield, sending ripples through its surface.

Theia looked around with wild eyes, trying to seek help. But most of her monsters were dead and the demigods were cowering while their leader— Luke Castellan was slumped against a wall, unconscious.

“YOU ALL! ATTACK!” Theia screamed at the demigods who had been hiding.

With a roll of my eyes, I thrust the tip of my spear, piercing through the shield’s surface, shattering it.

The Titaness yelped, scrambling to her feet, her knuckles white against the hilt of her sword.

“THE TITAN LORD WILL HAVE YOUR HEADS! STOP HER!” Theia screamed, slashing her sword at me, only for her face to be introduced to my Aegis.

The Titaness went sprawling back to the floor, ichor dripping from her crooked nose.

I saw the demigods move, four of them rushing between Theia and me, forming a straight line. Their weapons trembled, most of their bodies hidden behind shields as they formed a barricade to prevent me from reaching the Titaness. The others raised their weapons but didn’t move from their position, keeping their distance.

Sloppy, uncoordinated, ineffective, and stupid.

Before I could do anything, I felt foreign power settle on my arms and body, as if stopping me. A power I recognized immediately. It was the power of the Fates, exercising the Ancient laws. I couldn’t attack them unless they attacked me. Well, not unless I was prepared to face the consequences and purposely broke them.

“You don’t have to do this, heroes.” I touched the tip of my spear to the ground, my eyes running around the deck. “I can protect you. Olympus can protect you. The Titans are not someone whom you want to be on the side of. Come back, heroes. Drop your weapons and jump off the ship. Poseidon will take you into custody.”

“How can we believe your word?” A boy spat, glaring at me with his gray eyes. “You have never done anything for us. None of the Olympians have. No one has. You left us to fend for ourselves. At the mercy of monsters.”

“Simon.” I recognized the boy, and surprise flashed in his eyes. “Yes, I am aware of who you are. I claimed you the same week you entered the camp.”

“And that’s it?” His sword rose higher. “You say I am yours and you are done? You have no other responsibility? My father died in a monster attack. My twin sister too. Where were you then?”

“The Ancient laws—”

“Oh, spare me the bullshit!” Simon growled. “It is always that with you Olympians. You don’t care for us.”

“And the Titans do?” I raised an eyebrow. “The Titaness behind you is using you as a glorified shield. At least we fight our own battles and not—”

“No. You use us as errand boys and entertainment when it suits your fancy, don’t you?” Simon stepped forward. “Or as expendable pawns in a great game. No more, mother.”

The boy charged at me with a yell, his sword raised high. I blocked the strike, feeling the magic of the Fates lift from my body.

I was free to retaliate if I wanted to.

“You’ve been brainwashed, Simon.” I deflected another strike from the boy. “Look around you. You work for and with the very monsters that killed your father and sister! You fight your own mother.”

“You could’ve saved them.” Simon spun around, his sword skittering across the Aegis. “You let them die! You—”

I struck, my spear locking above the hilt of his sword. With a twist the sword clattered out of his hands, which I swept away with the butt of my spear.

The domain of war screamed within me to end him. For the insults. For the betrayal. For being the enemy.

Simon glared at me. “Kill me, what are you waiting for, mother?”

“I should.” I replied, smothering my urge. “You’re the enemy. My instincts scream to end you where you stand. End you for your betrayal. Yet, I won’t. But, I am afraid, I cannot let you run free and neither can I teleport you away to face justice. So, I will just take you out of the equation.”

My vambrace slammed against his temple and Simon crumpled at my feet, unmoving.

I turned to the other demigods, who were steadily backing away and grouping. I scanned the group. Eight demigods, all armed with very standard, unenchanted weaponry and wearing light armor. And most importantly, afraid.

Theia stood behind them, pouring nectar over her wound. “What are you waiting for? Attack her!”

They began to move and I called to my domain of war, allowing it to settle within my fingers. With a snap, all their weapons clattered to the ground.

Not a direct hit or interference. I felt no power wrap around me, confirming I had made a perfect call.

“Get out of my way, please.” I told them. “Now.”

The demigods scrambled away and I smirked while Theia paled.

Without waiting, I charged at the Titaness, my spear tearing through the air. Ichor spurted as my spear sank into her abdomen, having been deflected from her heart.

A gasp escaped her lips, her eyes wide. I slammed the rim of my Aegis on her chest, freeing my spear. Ichor ran down her golden armor, the tip of my spear shining with it.

Before I could end her once and for all, I felt my instincts scream.

I dove to the floor, avoiding a glowing green trident that would’ve killed me. Oceanus stood behind me and I felt the color drain out of my face.

‘Percy.’ My heart dropped. ‘There was no way he would’ve survived Oceanus. Not in the sea.’

“The goddess of wisdom. Zeus’ right hand.” Oceanus sneered as I rose to my feet. “Be prepared to die.”

‘ATHENA LEAP INTO THE SEA!’ Poseidon’s voice hammered in my mind. 'They are going to kill you!'

Around the deck, more sea deities appeared, their weapons ready. Oceanus limped forward, a cold smile curling on his lips.

Right. Into the sea it was.

“You’ve got nowhere to learn, little goddess.” Oceanus said.

My mind slipped into auto-pilot, calculating all my options and escape routes.

Oceanus was standing closest to me, the deck stretching only a few meters behind him. And Oceanus was standing alone, ichor dripping out of his left shoulder and a noticeable limp.

If I got past him, I just needed to reach the sea where Poseidon was ready to catch me.

Hopefully so was Percy.

Oceanus took another step toward me and I charged. The Titan was ready as his trident met my spear in mid-strike, his eyes glowing cruelly.

“Not today, war goddess,” he scowled, but I twisted away, my foot slamming into his injured knee.

Oceanus yelled as I slipped past him, a wave of force hitting me in the back.

I slammed into the railings, which glowed, remaining intact. The Aegis slipped out of my hand, tumbling into the sea.

“KILL HER! FOR KRONOS!”

With all my strength, I pulled myself over the edge, diving toward the blue waters. I felt my hair prickle as the ocean neared before my world exploded in pain, a burning sensation running over my back.

I hit the waters, and felt a bubble envelop me just before my world dissolved into darkness.

Hopefully, it had been Poseidon who had gotten me and not Oceanus.

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AND… DONE! Hope you all liked the chapter!

A huge thank you to Mughil, Anax, and Nanu for betaing this chapter!

All recognizable parts of the chapter are from LoSP Ch.17, where this scene is set.

It should also be noted that Athena could've easily taken on Oceanus and Theia both, but since Oceanus appeared with half his army, she had to flee. At the end, Oceanus hit her with a beam of pure energy in the mid-air, injuring her. 

After that, you are aware what happened. (She wakes up in Atlantis as shown in LoSP chapters.)

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Stay Happy! Stay Safe! Keep Smiling! Keep Reading!

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