As the Sun's rays slowly began to enter into Aaron's room, Zoe was the first to awaken from her night's sleep. Both of Aaron's arms were still wrapped around her waist. Unhooking his linked arms, she soon stood up and checked if he had made any moves on her body during the night.
Sighing out in relief, she jumped slightly when she heard someone knock on the door. A moment later Gunilla walked into the room, a knowing smirk on her face. "Good nights sleep I take it?"
"Nothing happened." Zoe growled out as she glared at the Valkyrie.
Gunilla's response was a chuckle as she playfully patted Zoe's back. "I know, I was only teasing... Aaron's curse would never have allowed anything to happen."
"I take it he asked you to stay?" Gunilla asked as she looked over at a still sleeping Aaron. "He connects with you y'know... I don't know what over but I can easily see it."
"That's." Zoe was about to repute Gunilla's statement but was cut short but the Valkyrie.
"I know it's not my place... But I just wanted to thank you for helping him during his last night." Gunilla stated before she continued. "I know what it's like to die. It happened to me when I was 18 over five hundred years ago... But it happened suddenly for me so I never had to reflect on my life before my death. Aaron's going to be walking into his own death so it's much more difficult for him."
"You Greeks are lucky, you have so many tales of Demigods and their heroics. Where we have none... Before Aaron that is." Gunilla looked up at Zoe who was listening thoroughly.
"No Norse demigod had ever live past the age of 23... Aaron was the first and only one to do so. And it wasn't because he had lived a quiet life. If you lift his shirt up, you will see scars from countless battles that he has fought in. He's even saved my life once in Muspelheim. He had lost Hellevi that day. After she had died in his arms he went on a rampage the likes I doubt will ever be seen again."
"On that day he had caused the molten world around him to freeze solid. It was because of Aaron we're now at peace with the Fire Giants of Muspelheim." Gunilla paused for a moment as she took in a deep breath. "It was the only time I had ever witnessed his Berserker rage first hand. And even though he was on my own side, it still scares me after all these years."
"He is the greatest Hero ever to have walked in the Nine Realms." The look on Gunilla's face as she faced Zoe left no room for any doubt in her words. "He is the jewel of Asgard that was meant to become one of Odin's Generals during the battle of Ragnarök... But knowing he'll never receive that honour and glory. And now he'll be forever in Hela's grasp. It angers me to no end..."
Gunilla's face, once twisted in anger softened as she fought back a tear. "But it also saddens me that I'll never get to see him again. That I'm going to lose another member of my family."
"He sounds like you all loved him like Achilles was when he was alive." Zoe stated out sourly as her distrust of Heroes showed in her voice.
"I don't know of this Achilles... But you may be right." Gunilla chuckled lightly as she placed a hand on Zoe's shoulder. "Your friends are waiting for you in the great hall. I'd advise to eat a full breakfast and if you need anything from our armoury to help in today's battle, do not hesitate to ask."
Zoe silently nodded her head as she watched Gunilla sit beside Aaron on her his bed. She had left them alone as she exited the room and moved towards the Great hall.
(Several Hours later)
With a full breakfast in her stomach, Zoe played with the golden bracelet that was gifted to her and the other quest members by Lady Frigg. She had been told that it was to ensure they could safely travel through the Bifrost at Heimdall's lookout. The other members who had also left Camp Half-Blood including Percy were also gifted similar bracelets.
She had not seen Aaron for those few hours since she had left his room and to her surprise when he re-appeared he was wearing the armour that he had wore during his battle with the Son of Ares in Camp Half-Blood. However he was now wearing an additional gauntlet over his left forearm. "What's that?" Percy asked as he pointed to the gauntlet.
Aaron smirked at the young demi-god before closing his fist. A metallic clink was then heard before a small circular shield appeared over the gauntlet. "Just a simple shield to buy me some time if it's needed in today's battle."
"I've been meaning to ask this but... What are only you and Zoe ready with your weapons ready?" Thalia asked, her annoyance was clear in the tone of her voice.
Aaron then looked over at Zoe with a raised eyebrow. "Why haven't you told them yet?"
"In my defense there wasn't a good time to bring it up." Zoe replied simply to Aaron's question, causing him to sigh.
"You're not letting us fight are you?" Thalia shouted out in anger having pieced everything together.
"Are you serious!?" Percy joined in with the same amount of anger as his cousin. "Do you think we're weak or something?"
"No, that's not why you're not going." Aaron answered as he raised his hands in a motion of surrender.
But it did little to lower their anger and frustration. "Bullshit!" Thalia exclaimed out, letting her anger get the better of her as she got up close to Aaron's face. "You're just seeing us as nothing but children."
"That's because to me you are still children!" Aaron snapped back, catching the daughter of Zeus off guard.
"You wanna know the real reason!" As he towered over Thalia, Aaron pointed a finger at Bianca. "A Daughter of Hades."
Turned his finger over to Percy he continued. "A Son of Poseidon."
Before turning his finger back to her. "And a Daughter of Zeus. You are all children from each of the three oldest Gods of Olympus. The three most powerful Gods in your Pantheon."
"You might not fully realize it Girl, but you're in a war!.. And this war is going to be nothing like what you think it'll be." Aaron continued to stare down at Thalia defiance glare back.
Slowly he was winning as he pressed on. "We're about to walk right into the heart of your enemy to save Lady Artemis. And I'm doing this knowing that I'm walking towards my own fucking death! Do you understand! That is not something I want someone as young as you kids to see. And I refuse to drag kids into a battle knowing I won't be able to help defend you all!"
Taking a deep breath, Aaron reigned in his own anger. "Wars are not fought in a single day. There will be other battles to come, that will be just as if not more important as this one. But you must first get everyone ready... Other Demi-gods will be looking towards you three for the future battle that are ahead."
Placing both of his hand on her shoulders, Aaron bent his back to bring himself down to Thalia's eye level. "You're still young, so don't be throwing your life away."
With little more said Thalia threw her arms around Aaron's waist and buried her head into his chest. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry."
"It's okay kid." Aaron replied softly as he patted Thalia's head. He looked over and seen the shocked faces of the other young Demi Gods and young Satyr that he had been travelling with. "But I can't help but see you all as kids. Even though I'm not even thirty, I've lived a long and good life. So look towards your own future now."
"He's right young ones." Odin voiced out his opinion as he moved towards the group. "There will be other battles ahead in this war you find yourselves in. Both Aaron and Miss Nightshade will be taking part in this first battle. While you shall help me in seeking an audience with Zeus and the other Olympians... I hereby vow that Asgard will stand along side Olympus in this up coming conflict. To ensure the survival of Olympus and the Nine Realms."
As Thalia finally let go of Aaron, she wiped away the tears in her eyes. "You tell anyone I was crying and I'll kill you."
While most might've taken that as a joke in poor taste, the Norsemen around her along with Aaron burst out in laughter. "I don't think i'll have to worry about that kiddo.. But I promise you that my lips will be sealed."
As this was going on Gunilla had tapped Zoe's shoulder gaining her attention. "My sister tells me you are the second in command of Artemis' Hunt. Is that correct?"
"Yes. Only my Lady's voice is higher than my own within the Hunt." Zoe evenly replied.
"Then as one proud female warrior to another. Please watch his back." Gunilla softly asked as Zoe's eyes widened slightly. Silently, she nodded her head in response. "Thank you."
"Are you both ready?" Odin's voice brought Zoe's attention back as he looked over at them both.
Not wanting them to see the worried look on his face, Aaron turned to face the portal that Heimdall had just created in front of them. "Has my Mother arrived yet?"
"I'm sorry my boy... We were not able to reach her in time." Odin reply caused Aaron to flinch slightly but it only last for a second before he because focused once more.
"Can you tell her that."
"I think she'll already know lad." Odin cut off Aaron allowing the Norse Demi-god to chuckle.
"Then could tell my Grandfather that..." Aaron stopped himself for a moment, not trusting his own voice for a second or two. "That I wish I could've shared at least a drink and meal with him... And that's I'm sorry that my own cowardice got in the way of our relationship."
"I will." Odin replied before he continued. "But know this before you go... He never once blamed you for your actions against him. In fact he sees you as his own son. And often boasts of your achievements in Battle. As I'm sure he will in the eons to come."
Aaron lightly chuckled after hearing the Allfather's words. "Damn... Guess this is another mistake I've stupidly made." Looking over towards Zoe, she could see the tears in his eyes. "Are you ready?"
"Yes." Zoe focused reply allowed Aaron to take one last deep breath of Asgard's air.
"Þakka þér fyrir. (Thank you)" Aaron called out to those around him before finally walking through the portal with Zoe.
(Inside Mount Othrys)
When Zoe and Aaron both emerged from the Bifrost's light, they were faced with the Entrance into the caves of Mount Othrys. But it was quite, too quite for anyone's comfort. "There's no army here?"
"I'd think it's safe to say that we're openly walking into a trap then." Aaron sarcastically stated out.
Zoe was about to reply to his comment but was silent when she felt her father's exert his presence. "It's feeling a lot more than a challenge than a trap now."
Aaron placed a reassuring hand on Zoe's shoulder before he asked. "Are you ready to do this? If you want I will take him on alone while you focus on helping Artemis."
"Thank you, but no... I must go face to face against my Father." Zoe's reply had brought back her conviction to rescuing Artemis.
"That's the spirit! Then let's do this." Aaron stated as he walked into Mount Othrys, followed by Zoe right behind him.
As they both continued into the cave system, all that could hear heard echoing around them were the clapping of their footsteps. They had been walking in silence for several minutes before they had come into a large open area. The roof above was curved down towards a single point in the centre of the open area, only to their attention find a beaten Artemis, on her knees holding up the sky.
They seen the worried look on her face, but she was unable to let out her voice when the echoes of slow clapping. "It seems you have finally returned home Daughter... But I do not approve that you have brought a man home with you." Atlas stated out as he madly grinned at Zoe.
"I'm here for my Lady. Not for a reunion with a Monster like you." Zoe growled as as she brought her right hand over her quiver.
"You're breaking your Father's heart, Daughter." Atlas continued smirking as he turned his attention towards Aaron. "You seem to be a little lost boy. This isn't your war... If you choose to leave now... I might show you mercy and allow you to live."
"This became my War once you had aligned you and your army with Loki." Aaron replied before he lifted and pointed his Axe towards Atlas.
"Now tell me where the slimeball is." Aaron demanded as he glared at the Titan before him. "I know he is working with you and he rest of the Titan army... And I can smell that Clown is nearby."
"He is... Or should I say, he was." Atlas' deep and low voice bellowed through the cave before he reveal the severed head of the Norse God of Mischief. "And he had served his purpose well. It was a shame I had to kill him after his great service."
Throwing the head of Loki towards the duo, it rolled down before stopping at Zoe's feet. "I often find that Trickster Gods are not always the most loyal of Gods. I had to ensure that he would not get a chance to betray us. It was a shame I was too late as he had turned the Ophiotaurus into a fucking Butterfly."
"Even though I don't know what type of Monster that is... I'm stuck between thinking either how smart or stupid your decision was to kill Loki... But I'm leaning more towards Stupid at the moment." Aaron replied as he extended out his shield and tightened his own hold of his Axe. "But it doesn't matter as you'll be back under the sky soon enough."
As both Aaron and Zoe stepped forwards to begin, Atlas let out a deep chuckle as he waved his finger in a no fashion. "Not quite... You see, it's not me that you and my Daughter shall be facing in this Battle, boy."
Atlas comments had confused both Zoe and Aaron at first. But as he slowly he raised his right index finger and pointed it towards the cave's entrance behind them.
Zoe was the one who had turned to see who her Father was pointing at. But when she had done so, she had lost her breath. "It's him..." Zoe weakly spoke as the colour from her face faded.
"Who?" Aaron asked Zoe as he looked at her with concern. But when he turned his head to face the same direction she was looking, he was meet with a familiar face. That dark black hair and piercing Blue eyes, staring right back at him as the man grinned like a mad man.
"Heracles."