AN :
Don't forget to throw some power Stones, If you like the story.
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"Umm … not that you aren't allowed but, why?" the queen of the dead asked.
"I need to speak to Paul Blofis," was her short answer.
...
Again Persephone looked at her owlishly but didn't immediately reply as she instead nodded and gestured for Hestia to follow. The pair walked in silence for some moments as they left the castle proper and onto a winding path around the castle towards Persephone's gardens if Hestia remembered correctly. The slight echo of their feet was only accompanied by the wails of tormented growing fainter by the step until Hestia caught Persephone's glance.
Their eyes locked for a moment before Persephone looked away even as she started to speak.
"So … how have things been since the attack?"
Hestia hummed for a moment as she thought about it, remembering the faces of the shocked demigods brought to the city or feeling the very hope wither and break for those within the Olympian forces.
"As well as things can be expected after a battle," Hestia finally answered, her voice almost resigned to the fact. "We took Artemis out of the picture and shook up the Olympians but it's only a matter of time before they regroup."
Persephone didn't comment but simple scrunched her brows in thought as she glanced down, a slight nod to her head before she said lowly, "I would have guessed as much. I saw some of the killed souls … I'm honestly a little surprised some where being personally brought to Elysium by Nico and my husband."
"Surprised?" Hestia asked as she gave her niece a side-glance. "How so? From the start we said the demigods weren't our enemies unless they attacked first and a near majority are even there only on orders from the Olympians. Many did die as heroes thinking they were doing the right thing, especially those that died protecting each other."
"Maybe … but, I guess even then I was expecting a more Olympian response, not forgiveness," Persephone murmured as she glanced down for a moment.
"And we are not Olympians. We don't condemn someone just because of association but the choices they made for themselves and way they did. The goal of the council is to bring change, not endlessly repeat the cycle that has been followed since the first Titans," Hestia said with finality. "Besides, many of those demigods already paid the price with their lives. What would be the point of making them suffer more?"
Her answer was met with silence for a time as Persephone kept her eyes forward, the area around them quickly transitioning to that of one of Persephone's gardens even as their goal slowly came into view. As they walked side by side Hestia looked beyond them to the almost pristine plains and lakes.
This side of the Underworld was dotted with massive crystals growing from the cavernous ceiling, filling it with light. To one side she could see seemingly endless fields of rolling grass and trees, gently drifting in unfelt winds sprinkled with all manner of homes, from small and quaint cottages to massive estates with designs of all cultures and origins.
The peaceful Plains of Elysium. A hero's resting place.
Then, divided by massive mountains, on the other side there was a truly massive lake that could easily be mistaken for a small sea. Dotting within this lake were islands, again of varying sizes and formations, some clearly inhabited while others were not. Boats, ranging from little sail boats to large yachts, calmly sails about.
The Isles of the Blessed. A never ending paradise and resort earned only to the worthiest.
Seeing both made Hestia faintly smile as they got closer and soon, the gateways leading into each came into view. The shining marble gates guarded by two ghouls, their armor just as pristine as they stood at attention. Upon seeing Hestia and Persephone approaching, both saluted before turning towards each other as they slammed their spears down. Moments later the soft tolls of an unseen bell echoed as the gates opened, the large slabs of marble sliding seamlessly with the use of Imperial gold hinges and mechanisms hidden from plain view.
The two goddesses walked past the guards and were met with the hills of long grass as a gentle breeze pulled at their hair. Hestia let out a pleasant sigh as the two walked on, her hands idly trailing over the blades of grass tall enough to reach her fingers. It almost felt like noon with the warmth of the crystalline glow from above but here in the Plains of Elysium, there was no real night and day with the notions of time passing at its own pace in contrast to the rest of the Underworld or the world above.
Glancing to her side she could see the pleasant smile on Persephone's face as random flowers would bloom in her wake. The sight only made the lady of dragons smile more as they walked in comfortable silence. Sometimes they would pass by a hero, some napping within the silence of the fields, other grouped together to do whatever carried their fancy for the day, and even some picnic dates here and there.
All gave warm calls and greetings as the goddesses passed, some outright gawking when they realized just who Hestia was. It seemed that even within the Fields of Rest some gossip and news of the Upper world could be spread.
Soon however the goddess spotted a larger building coming into view. It was of simple design, with one large floor and rows of windows with even a white picket fence around it. Hestia even chuckled a little when she saw a tiny bell placed at the front and top of the roof. Then her eyes found a posted sign next to the door reading 'The Blofis Grade School'.
However, reading that made her smile become a little more somber.
Paul's school for the children within Elysium that died as heroes in some of the worst places around the world, often times because they gave their lives protecting someone else, be it family or dear friends. Kids that never truly had the chance to grow and learn besides enduring the environments they were born or forced into. Young souls scarred in life and tragic deaths. At least here they had the chance to grow or at least, 'grow' in the closest terms a soul could before given the choice if they wished to reincarnate or remain here.
Hestia and Persephone silently made their way to the door and quietly entered, or at least tried to. For all their care, all it took was one uneven and squeaky floorboard under Persephone's sandaled foot to undue their efforts. Instead of silently walking in and watching a class, they were met with nearly two dozen wide and curious eyes, some of the kids gasping as they looked upon the two goddesses.
The silence last all of three seconds before some unknown signal went off as the two were suddenly mobbed by excited children, all manner of questions being asked amongst the general chatter and babble. Through it all Hestia could hear some deep, full-belly laughter that drew her eyes to one Paul Blofis. Salt and pepper hair cut short and well combed along with trimmed beard, remarkably bright blues eyes brimming with mirth as he looked on. Dressed in a buttoned up shirt, dark blazer and matching pants, he looked more like a college professor.
Image aside apparently he wasn't about to end his entertainment as Hestia and Persephone worked to calm the excited children around them but after answering all manner of questions Paul finally decided to intervene with a firm clap. It seemed that this was his usual method as the children immediately tapered off as all eyes turned on him.
It was obvious his was still highly amused as a soft chuckle escaped him before he cleared his throat. "Alright kids, it seems that class ends a little early today—but—let's not forget the homework for next week!"
His announcement was met with a classic chorus of whines and groans that he took in good grace as Hestia smiled all the while. Once it died down he resumed as if it hadn't happened in the first place.
"Now, now, it's only three pages on proper grammar and sentence writing and you can work on it during study hours in class and we'll even have some upperclassmen so feel free to ask for help," he finished just before a small, chiming bell went off. "Ah, right on time."
As he said this the kids gave of excited squeals and yells as they ran to the far wall of the room and the cubies located there, chattering as they packed their bags and ran off in groups. Most waved at the two goddesses as they left which both were happy to return until all of the kids were out before Hestia turned her attention to Paul as he sighed.
"Well, that was certainly a more eventful end to the day than I expected," he said as he gave a short bow. "So, Lady Hestia and Lady Persephone, to what do I owe the pleasure of having two queens visiting my humble little school?"
"Oh Paul, you know you can call me by my given name," Hestia said kindly as she walked up to him and gave him a small hug which he returned while Persephone held to a politely returned curtsy and nod.
"Fine then, I'll keep that in mind," he said after breaking the hug, "Now not that I don't enjoy your visits but I feel this is more than a random stop."
She nodded as her smile dropped slightly as she nodded and she glanced to Persephone. The goddesses held the gaze for all of five seconds before Persephone nodded in turn.
"Well, I'll leave you two to it," she said before giving another curtsy, "A pleasure Paul, auntie." And with that she turned and saw herself out as both Hestia and Paul watched until the door closed behind her.
With the goddess gone the two were left with a moment of silence, Hestia's eyes remained locked on the door before she turned to the sound of Paul moving. She watched him as he straightened a few of the desks before moving to his desk, his hand ghosting over some papers left on it that Hestia noted were titled 'History Quiz'. Still, her eyes left the papers and rose to find those of Paul on her.
Catching his looks she shuffled her feet somewhat as she tried to find a way to broche the subject she came for. However, after letting the silence drag on she decided that being roundabout wouldn't do any good as she sighed before saying, "Paul, I need your help."
His eyes focused as she said that and he made a small 'go on gesture', his undivided attention on her.
Biting her lip for a moment her hands clenched a little tighter as she forged on.
"What was it like when Sally told you about us?" she asked softly, watching as Paul's eyes widened as she continued. "When she told you about what Percy was … and about Poseidon?"
"…"
A long silence followed her up as she looked at the deceased mortal, watching as his eyes drifted down to his desk with a slight frown marring his face. The silence persisted for some time as Hestia's nervousness grew until Paul finally looked back up at her. Without a word he stood and walked around his desk and towards a pair of chairs off to the side of the room.
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