Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Thunder rumbled across the skies as Zeus decided to throw another hissy fit. Lightning booming  all over the skies, commanding respect and fear from all a reflection of its lord. Their all powerful King was throwing a fit about his daughter’s avoidance towards him.

Sitting on her bed, Athena was reading peacefully. Well as peaceful one could be with agonizing lightning scars all over their body. The ichor was holding on by a thread, barely contained by the bandages Apollo had wrapped her in. She'd bet that if she wasn't immortal she would've been wrapped like a mummy or worse she would've been dead.

That’s when she heard it. The first strike, the first loud roar of thunder, the first time She’s heard it since that fateful day. Clenching her fist tighter on her book, she looked towards the huge window in her bedroom.

Unfortunately Nyx chose the wrong day to do her job perfectly. The sky was as dark as chaos, which made the lightning brighter and more menacing than usual. 

Initially she thought that she could get through one thunder strike, that she could just clench her fist as hard as she could but clearly her wisdom was no longer working.

She serverely misjudged the situation.

Each strike just kept coming, each strike haunting her. Reminding her about her father's strikes against her. His merciless attitude towards her, his ruthlessness. 

After all his ruthlessness was mercy towards himself. His ego. His reputation. His power. His throne.

Athena squeezed her ears with her hands as tightly as she could, blocking the sound as best as she could. Her mind was trying to convince her that this was not a big deal. This was not a war. This was not another attack against her. This was just another day. Just another regular weather cycle.

“Don’t worry It’ll past” 

“It’ll pass,” Athena whispered to herself, repeating those two words over and over and over again. She wanted to call for her dad to hug her like he once did, but he was no longer the dad she knew. No. That was not dad, that was just a person that had a bad day. It's not a big deal. Dad loves you. He loves you. Remember? You’re his favorite child. He didn’t mean it….

Athena just couldn’t accept the fact that the scars all over her body were caused by Zeus. By Zeus. Not Poseidon. Not Ares. Not Hades. Not Aphrodite. No. It was her own dad. But it couldn’t be….

Athena unclasped her hand from her ears, the lightning and rain were becoming softer so she assumed it was safe. Everything seemed to have gotten quieter, so Athena took the opportunity to drink a warm glass of tea. Drinking tea often helped her calm down from her problems.

Problems that she had to face alone. You’re alone. Indeed she was, but there was no way to fix that.

Everything was calm, quiet, and peaceful. Safe.

Or so she thought.

A large roar of thunder was accompanied by the lightning that kept striking. Each strike accompanied by the sounder that kept getting louder,

Athena screamed her lungs out from the booming sound that kept coming after one another, dropping her cup of tea. Running to the corner of her bedroom to hide herself. Curling herself into a ball, burying her face with the tears that kept on falling.

---

Zeus was having fun sticking his thunder like a little child who was allowed to do whatever they wanted. Striking each lightning harder than before, aiming at any random city to strike. Like he was playing a game and was choosing who to beat in a game.

A game.

His mind wandered toward Athena. The mere thought of her made him upset so he decided to strike the lightning even harder than before. How dare she? How dare she defy him? Winning against him was impossible. She cheated. She must have cheated.  

“HOW DARE SHE CHEAT IN A GAME I CREATED!” Zeus shouted, his ming successfully convincing him that he was not at fault. He was never at fault. He was King. Kings are never wrong. The King of the gods would never be wrong, after all he was King to both mortals and immortals alike. They shall bow down and respect him, but the day came. The day someone dared to disrespect him. 

His own daughter. His favorite child had defied him.

“INSOLENT BRAT” Zeus muttered, striking the skies with both his thunder and lightning. Euphoria took hold of him, getting high from the power he felt. Throwing each bold and thunder with more force, enjoying each strike landing on cities. Watching the pure beauty of his bolts from the high balcony of the palace was one of his many ‘ingenious’ decisions. Smiling as he watched his beautiful bolts, but alas his enjoyment must come to an end. 

But not now.

Throwing one bolt after the other he was not planning on stopping anytime soon. He wasn't planning to until he heard a blood curdling scream. He was irritated by the rude interruption towards his fun, but the scream sounded so familiar. It wasn't Hera, no her screams were more annoying than blood curdling. It wasn't Ares, his screams were deep yet never this loud. Then the realization dawned on him.

 It was Athena. It is her that is screaming.

Running towards wherever Athena's room was, he dropped everything foregoing his fun. His initial irritation towards her forgotten, his soft spot for his favorite overpowering his previous emotions. Reaching her room, Zeus burst through her door.

He was shocked to say the least. Athena was in the corner of her room, hiding herself from anything and everyone. Admittedly, it wasn't working. Somehow, he felt concern towards his daughter so he approached her.

“It's fine, It's fine, it's nothing, it's fine” Athena repeated to herself, trying to stop herself from panicking. She hadn't even realized that someone was in her room, too busy attempting to calm herself down.

Zeus had only touched her hand, he didn’t even hold it. All he did was touch it, but apparently that was not a good idea. As Athena finally registered his presence, pushing him away and curling herself into an even smaller ball.

“I’m s-sorry, I’ll never do it a-again, I-I’m sorry” Athena managed to choke out, unable to meet her father's eyes. She knew he hated weakness. Weakness was the first thing he trained her to hide, but here she was. Displaying her weakness to him.

“Athena..” Zeus said, regret for his actions finally hitting him. He didn’t realize that Athena was affected so badly by his attacks. He thought that she would get back up as usual, better and stronger than before. But that was why I attacked her. She needed to break and stop getting stronger. So she had to be broken.

“I-I’m Sorry please I’m sorry I won't do it again” Athena pleaded, fear encompassing her as Zeus knelt to the ground. What did she do? The King was kneeling, kneeling because of her. She was going to get into so much trouble. This was a sign of her disrespect.

“Athena..Athena. ATHENA” Zeus unintentionally shouted, he didn’t mean to shout he just wanted to get her attention. But it was too late, Athena was full of panicking. He could just see how afraid she was of him.

She tried running away but the moment she stood up and attempted to run she fell to the ground next to her bed. NO. NO. NO. Dads walking towards me. Why is he walking towards me? I don’t want him to come to me.

“Did I do anything wrong?” Athena meekly asked, slowly looking up at him. Barely able to meet his eyes, but he could just see how much she fought against herself to just look at him.

“N-no you didn’t do anything wrong” Zeus responded, taking in her question. She didn’t do anything wrong. So why was she asking about this? But that was the problem, she didn’t do anything wrong, yet she got punished for it.

“T-then w-why are you here? You’re not going to be upset right?” Athena asked softly, her whole body shaking the more she looked at her father. She hated this. She hated how pathetic she felt. She hated how terrified she was. But there was no denying it.

 She was scared.

“No Athena I’m not going to be upset, I’m here because I’m worried” Zeus said softly, carefully saying each word to make sure he wasn't saying it too loudly and triggering her. But what shocked him wasn't just the question but her random laughter.

“Worried? You’re worried? You didn’t visit me once in the infirmary. You don’t care. You don’t care. You never care” Athena laughed dryly, tears flowing as she said each word with her new found bravery. Honestly, she just couldn’t stop her words, she didn’t want to be struck again but the words just kept on spilling.

“A-Athena I’m sorry” Zeus said, accepting the words that were thrown at him. He knew apologies were not going to fix anything. Moving closer to her in an attempt to show that he was genuinely apologetic. But it was the wrong move.

“I’m sorry, I-I won't do it again, I-I didn’t mean it. Dad I didn’t mean it, I wasn't supposed to offend you” Athena cried, flinching away from her father. Crumbling back down to her pathetic self, her previous bravery now completely lost.

Something in Zeus snapped at that statement. ‘I wasn't supposed to offend you’. His brain was trying to find any reasonable explanation behind this statement. ‘I wasn't supposed to offend you’ That meant that she knew that she had offended him, yet she continued fighting, defending herself, shaming his ego and challenging his power.

All of a sudden Athena's feelings didn’t matter anymore. The more she apologized the more irritated he got. Her crying and silent whispers didn’t matter and to be frank it was annoying him. He didn’t know what overtook him, but he only came to the realization of what he had done after he did it.

He slapped her across the face.

Athena screamed from the pain, the wounds near her face and neck reopening. Zeus's presence towards her wound seemed to make the pain worse. The pain was so bad that she didn’t realize what was happening.

Zeus pinned her against the wall.

“Listen here daughter, You shall not defy me again and get your act together. Your crying and flinching is pathetic” Zeus shouted, choking Athena as hard as he could. There was no stopping him, his anger overtaking him completely. Controlling his every move, but contrary to his previous feelings. He enjoyed this.

“ANSWER ME” Zeus demanded, Athena's lack of response further irritating him as she tried to fight off his grip. Squeezing his hand even harder around her neck, ichor was flowing out as more wounds reopened.

At this moment he was genuinely considering striking her with lightning again.

Athena weakly nodded, unable to find any words nor speak in general to respond to her father. Zeus dropped her back to the ground like she was a toy he had gotten bored of playing with. Athena's mind was muddled, she could've sworn he was apologizing just mere moments ago.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a random apology.

“Athena I-I’m sorry” Zeus said, his voice sounding genuine and familiar. Like her once kind dad. Unfortunately that dad was no longer the dad she had in front of her.

“I’m sorry Athena, I’m sure you understand my predicament. You have to understand that I have shown you mercy. You are my favorite child after all. So remember this punishment is a mercy I have given you. Your other siblings would never receive such treatment. So remember my kindness” Zeus said, raising his lightning bolt and aiming it towards Athena.

“ZEUS WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING?” 

Chapter Text

Zeus snapped his head towards the voices. His siblings were here, nearly every single one of them were here save for Poseidon. Stopping his initial plans of punishment. 

“What are you all doing here?” Zeus coldly asked, glaring at each and every one of them. Said glares were returned to him by everyone.

“WHAT ARE WE DOING? WHAT ARE YOU DOING? WHY ARE YOU AIMING ANOTHER BOLT AT YOUR DAUGHTER?” Hades screamed, walking towards Zeus to face him. He was vaguely aware that Athena flinched at his scream, but Hestia and Demeter were already there to calm her down.

“I-I WAS JUST-” Zeus didn’t have it in him nor did he want to explain. He was the King Of The Gods, he shouldn’t have to answer his siblings' questions.

“SAVE IT! GET OUT!” Hades ordered, pointing towards the door. To hell with powers and titles, his niece was injured and he'll be damned if he had to kick the King of the Gods out of the room to calm her down.

“I’ll deal with you later” Zeus said, walking out annoyed by his brother’s disrespect. Nevertheless he didn’t want to see his daughter’s pathetic and weak state, so he left. 

“Athena It’ll be alright” Hera whispered, holding her step daughter’s hand to stop her from shaking.

“What do we do?” Demeter asked, worry evident in her eyes. She has never seen someone so injured in her entire immortal life. And to make it worse, this was caused by her own father.

“Let’s bring her to my palace” Hades said, glancing briefly at Demeter. Usually Demeter and him were on less than ideal terms, but today it was not the time to be fighting , they had to be family again.

“It's okay, It's okay” Hestia said softly, using her powers to put Athena to sleep. Carrying Athena, she nodded to Hades that he could bring them to his palace.

Placing Athena on Hades’s guest bed, they started examining Athena's extended wounds. 

“Why would he do this?” Hestia whispered, pressing her palm against Athena's hands. Her hand was immediately stained by ichor, if this was just the external damage Hestia didn’t want to know the internal damages.

“For a show of power” Hades responded coldly, though his cold tone was not directed to Hestia but more towards his younger brother. 

Hades was never as close to his family as he should've been, but he was the King Of The Underworld. The underworld was a misunderstood realm, his reputation stained by the souls of mortals and the blood of the monsters in Tartarus. But in reality, he was a relatively calm and non-violent guy.

Though he was never close to anyone, Athena was his favorite niece. To his surprise she had once told him that he was her favorite uncle. But then again, the only other choice was Poseidon so there wasn't really any one else to choose from. Hades recalled the time when he had given Athena a tour in the underworld. She was so excited, so fearless, so strong and curious, willing to see any creature or monster there.

So why was the strong, excited and fearless niece that he knew now broken down to such a huge extent? 

“I’m going to call Apollo” Hera announced, ordering Iris to send a message to Apollo. Hera knew that Zeus was a violent man, she had been on the receiving end of it more times than she could count. But she would've never thought that such violence would be taken out on his daughter. His favorite daughter.

“What do you all need me- HOLY SHIT WHAT HAPPENED TO HER?” Apollo questioned, quickly starting the healing process. It's been barely a day since he cleared her from the infirmary and yet she came back more injured than before.

“Help me wrap her up with these bandages” Apollo ordered, passing them the bandages. Everyone was wrapping her up as fast as they could, each of them taking on different wounds. Pressing his palms on Athena's injuries, his hand glowed and healed her wounds as best as it could.

After about an hour of wrapping and healing, they could finally rest. Though resting was not a word that could be used to describe the situation in the room. Everyone was clearly over the edge, Apollo was playing with his rings, Demeter was growing and wilting plants on her palms, Hera sat nervously by Athena's side, Hestia whispering words towards the hearth and Hades…

“I’m going to kill that sick bastard,” Hades muttered, pacing back and forth in the room. His mind just couldn’t comprehend how a father could do that to their own child. He didn’t want this to be the truth, but Zeus was worse than Kronos.

Hades was getting caught up in his thoughts of attacking Zeus when he heard a soft groan. Turning towards the sound, he saw that Athena was attempting to get up but could barely move from the pain.

“Hey, Hey, Hey careful” Hera whispered, carefully helping Athena to get up and into a sitting position. Hera could barely hear Athena's whimpers but she heard it. It was so soft yet so loud. Soft enough that no one else could hear but loud enough for Hera to get caught up with the pain Athena must have been feeling.

“Athena, are you okay right now?” Demeter asked softly, threading on a thin line so that Athena understood that she was worried. Not faking her worry but genuine worry. Unfortunately she feared that Zeus had also given a convincing worried demeanor. 

As Athena might not trust them.

Athena wanted to answer, wanted to speak. She wanted to scream that she was not okay. Everything about her was not ok. But she couldn’t, the words were stuck in her throat. 

“Athena, don’t worry it's us. We're not Zeus. Remember? Look at us” Hera said, tilting Athena's chin upwards to get her to see their faces clearly.

“Do you remember who we are? Can you recite our names?” Apollo questioned, pointing at himself and the rest of them. Apollo wasn't going to lie and say that he hadn't seen these cases of PTSD, but to see it in the face of one of the strongest gods he knew was a different case entirely.

Nodding Athena started reciting.

“Y-youre A-Apollo, A-aunt H-Hestia, Aunt D-Demeter, H-Hera and U-Uncle H-H-Hades” Athena recited, unable to keep her voice steady. They're not dad. It's not dad. It's not dad….

“Yes we are, so can you answer us and tell us if You’re okay?” Hestia gently asked, pouring a cup of tea for Athena. 

“y-yeah” Athena managed, swallowing a lump in her throat. She knew that it was obvious that she was not but she couldn’t show weakness. Never show your weakness, daughter, hide it. Zeus had told her. And she listened. But now she didn’t think she had any strength left to continue pretending.

“Athena you can tell us the truth” Hades said as gently as soft as a upset person could be. Oh Zeus was going to get it.

“I-I can’t” Athena whispered, looking up at her Uncle. Wincing as she curled her leg up, wrapping her arms around it for comfort. She knew it was a bad idea to cause more harm to her wounds but she needed some sense of security right now.

“Why not?” Hera asked, moving Athena's auburn hair away from her face. 

“I-I’m not allowed to” Athena whispered, glancing out the window to make sure her dad couldn’t hear her or start a thunderstorm out of spite.

“It's ok Athena, we're here don’t worry” Demeter assured, patting Athena's back softly.

“I’m n-not allowed to. I can’t be weak. I-I have to hide my weakness” Athena admitted, resting her chin on her leg relying on it like it was something that could keep her safe.

It was almost as if Zeus heard her, cursing her or sending an eagle to eavesdrop on her. Within ten seconds of her admission a thunderstorm started, lightning and thunder collaborating with one another once more.

Athena screamed, burying her face completely on her knees, rocking herself back and forth. Her mind was trying to make a decision on whether to hug her leg or cover her ears, but she couldn’t choose. So she suffered the consequences, a huge strike of lightning landed directly outside the window.

“ Athena!” Hestia and Demeter shouted, unknowing of Athena's new fear towards loud sounds.  Scaring her in the process as Athena whispered to herself.

“Hades, close the curtain, How the fuck does rain even get into the underworld?” Hera ordered, it wasn't possible. She didn’t know he could get his lightning to strike into the underworld. But this was Zeus. She didn’t know how much more power he had that he’s been keeping a secret.

“I don’t know what he does but this is the first time” Hades responded, irritated by Zeus. He knew he was doing this on purpose, but how could he? Hades couldn’t emphasize this enough but this isn't how someone should treat their children.

Your children shouldn’t be shaking and crying from the mere essence of your existence. They shouldn’t be covered in scars from head to toe, scarred so deeply that even an immortal doctor could barely help. They shouldn’t even be scared of their own father.

But Athena was.

And she was fucking terrified.

“Athena?” Hades called softly, crouching down to attempt to meet Athena's eye level. Athena was too caught up with the rain and thunder, but she was muttering something. 

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I know I can’t be weak, I understand, I understand” Athena repeated, her mind once again unable to comprehend that the 5 people in front of her weren't Zeus. 

“Understand what?” Apollo asked, confused, turning around to meet everyone's concerned eyes. Helpless as all they could do was stand by Athena's bed, looking at her spiral.

“She had to die, She had to die, I understand she had to be killed” Athena whispered out, her face looked like she might cry. Figuratively and literally, but she genuinely had no tears left to cry.

“Who had to die?” Demeter asked, she didn’t know how someone's death was relevant to this, but it seems it had a long lasting effect on Athena.

“You can pull us into quick thought and let us watch your memories” Hera suggested, trying to find ways to get Athena to communicate since all she did was continuously shake her head.

Athena slowly nodded, hesitantly pulling them into quick thought.

Slowly, each and everyone of them were dragged into a room in her mind. Zeus’s throne room. In the middle of it all was a young Athena on the ground and Zeus standing tall in front of her.

“Why are we he-” Apollo questioned, looking around the room but was cut off by Athena's soft voice.

“Father, why?”  young Athena asked, giving her father a pleading look. Her hands, still stained red from the blood.  

“I had no choice, my little owl” Zeus responded, he didn’t want it to reach this point but it was too big of a problem to ignore.

“Aren’t you the King, father? So why can’t we save Pallas?” young Athena cried, her tears falling to the ground.

“She had to die, little Owl. And this is why” Zeus responded, pointing at Athena's tears. Initially the plan was just to get her killed and move on, but he didn’t expect Athena to come begging for her friend's life.

“W-why?” Young Athena stuttered out. She didn’t think that there was anything wrong with what she was doing nor with the way she was acting.

“Weakness, she was your weakness” Zeus said, his voice hard losing his fatherly voice and back into the voice of an all mighty King.

“B-but what's the problem with weakness? She's my best friend, how is she a weakness?” young Athena choked out, scrubbing her tears away in order to see her father clearly.

“Get up! Stand there!” Zeus ordered, frustrated by his daughter’s lack of understanding towards the gravity of the situation. Aggressively pulling Athena off the ground, watching as she obeyed him. This was when he realized just how weak she was.

Until she serves a purpose, she will be no daughter of mine.

“Weakness is something you should NEVER show, it must remain hidden” Zeus said, his voice as hard as steel. As he looked at his daughter’s endless pool of tears and continued his lecture.

“And Pallas was your weakness” he continued, pointing a finger at Athena to silence her.

“You’re my favorite child, daughter. So understand that I care deeply, but today? You have gravely disappointed me” Zeus glared, walking towards Athena and grabbing her head and slamming it to the wall.

“I-I’m s-sorry father” Young Athena apologized, her voice shaking. Either from fear or from grief it is unknown. Her hair now stained yellow from the ichor.

“Admit it that Pallas had to die” Zeus ordered, his hands flickering slightly with electricity as his patience started wearing thin.

“P-pallas h-had to ...d-die” Athena whispered out after a long pause, hoping that it would suffice and satisfy her father. 

“LOUDER AND NO STUTTERING” Zeus yelled, towering over Athena to show their power imbalance.

“Pallas had to d-die” Athena repeated, clenching her fist.

“LOUDER AND NO CLENCHING YOUR FIST YOUNG LADY” Zeus snatched Athena's hand and uncurled it  with as much force as he could.

“Pallas had to die” Athena said, finally managing to say it without stuttering, trying to contain her tears.

“LOUDER”

“Pallas had to die”

“LOUDER”

“PALLAS HAD TO DIE” Athena shouted from frustration, tears streaming down her face. Then the guilt overtook her. How could she just say that? And so loudly as well?

“Well done, I hope you learned your lesson” Zeus grinned, patting his daughter’s wounded head.

“From today onwards, you shall never show a single ounce of weakness. If you disobey me there would be consequences far worse than this” Zeus announced, satisfied as Athena dutifully nodded.

“I shall take my leave, but daughter you must remember my words. I shall expect you get your act together, NOW” Zeus said.

“And NEVER flinch in my presence, this little bonding session will be our little secret” Zeus smiled before adding "I'm doing this for your own good , young one"  and walking away.

Athena ran away as fast as she could back to her bedroom, nearly tripping as her vision was still blurred.

---

“THAT SON OF A BITCH” Hades yelled, though he got chastised by Hestia for calling their mom a bitch.

“T-this isn't how she should spend her life” Apollo stated, staring back into the memory that was replaying over and over and over again.

“Weakness? How dare he use her friend against her” Hera scoffed at her husband's behavior. Watching Athena's younger form, currently still on the ground drowning in grief. It seems his manipulative tendencies had already started.

“Get her act together? What does he want from her? He could barely make any good decisions without her guidance” Demeter rolled her eyes at the mere thought of Zeus. His dumbass must be blind to treat his daughter like this. Unbelievable.

“Athena was such a kind soul now ripped apart ... .and she wasn't allowed to flinch” Hestia said softly, her voice laced with sadness and pity. She may have been able to control herself back then, but now she can’t.

She can’t hide her fear.

“She-” Apollo was interrupted by a chorus of voices as they were pulled out of her memories and back into Hades’s palace.

“ATHENA ARE YOU OKAY? WE CAME HERE AS FAST AS WE COULD”

Chapter Text

“Are you okay?” “We’ve been looking everywhere for you” “ Why didn’t a single one of you tell us where she was?” “Yeah couldn’t you just send an iris message or something?”

“Okay, Kids calm down, calm down” Hera said, stopping the chorus of voices. Registering who was here she listed them all in her mind. Ares, Hephaestus, Aphrodite, Artemis, Hermes and Dionysus.

“Now that we’ve all calmed down, let’s all speak one by one” Demeter said, waving a hand for them to sit on the couch that was next to Athena's bed. 

“Why didn’t any of you tell us where you all were?” Ares asked, frustrated, his eyes glaring at his aunt. Clenching on his spear for dear life, ready to use it at any time.

“We were busy,” Apollo said, cocking his head towards Athena. His bright blonde hair completely drained of light from the gravity of the whole situation.

“Hey I’m still here, if You’re going to talk about me at least have some decency to hide it” Athena snapped, though she didn’t look as strong as she once was, at least she wasn't buried in tears. Now she had returned into a more vulnerable version of her snappy old self.

“Athena are you okay?” Artemis asked, walking towards her sister and sitting on the bed next to her. Her hand playing with her sister’s. They were relatively close in age so they were very close, but they didn’t really have time to check up on each other since they were always in different places. One was in war the other was in the hunt.

Now look at what happens when you don’t check up on people.

“Yes, if it wasn't obvious with my bandaged appearance” Athena replied sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

“Haha very funny” Artemis responded, fighting the urge to smack her sister like they used to but restraining herself to prevent causing more harm.

“Very funny indeed” Athena replied back, staring at her sister’s bracelet before snatching it away. 

“hmm this bracelet is pretty, I’m going to keep it”

“I knew you were going to do that, but give it back” Artemis said, trying to get it back but somehow Athena still managed to swiftly move her injured hand. “Give it back”

“Girls, girls Let’s stop this banter for a moment” Hephaestus said, earning himself two sisters that rolled their eyes at him but listened regardless. Why am I the eldest sibling?

“No but seriously, are you okay? You know the whole dad…thing” Hermes asked, worriedly. Athena was normally closed off and isolates herself more after an injury, to see her like this was creeping him out.

“Er no offense Athena, but are you delirious right now?” Dionysus hesitantly asked after Athena's upbeat demeanor, it was a slightly dangerous time to ask this. Considering that injured Athena was apparently more snappy and sarcastic than usual and still maintain her swift speed and reaction. And there was a dagger on the nightstand. So to say that Dionysus was intimidated was an understatement.

“Delirious? Why would I be delirious?” Athena asked, slightly offended. Yup, definitely the wrong question. Note to self, never ask Athena about her medical state Dionysus thought.

“On a serious note, don’t avoid the question. What happened?” Aphrodite asked with genuine concern in her eyes. She was terrified in the colosseum for Athena's safety but here she was, more injured than before.

That question completely sobered up the room. The silence was palpable as everyone of her siblings turned to Athena.

Athena hated the attention, ‘assessing the situation’ but it was more of a ‘trying to figure out how to leave’ type of thinking. Clearly Hera knew what she was thinking as she raised her eyebrow on Athena. ‘ I guess I have no choice’, Athena sighed.

“Let’s see, dad saw me panicking from the lightning, apologized, got mad at my crying, slapped me, and apologized, aimed a bolt at me and…sort of apologized?” Athena said nonchalantly, fine it was a bit of an oversimplification but it was all true. Ughh she didn’t want to give out details of her screaming, crying, panicking…and her memories.

“I’m sorry, did you just say he aimed a bolt at you and Slapped you?” Hermes said, appalled by that statement. He may not have seen the whole game first hand, but he’s been at the receiving end of their dad's anger and it was not pretty. So to be aimed at a bolt right after healing from the strike of multiple lightning bolts, you'd think Athena would be more serious about the whole situation.

“Yeah pretty much, but I don’t blame him though” Athena shrugged, tugging her blanket to cover herself from the cold. 

“You. Don’t. Blame. Him?” Hera, Demeter and Hades said in unison, eyes wide. Bewildered by this statement.

“No, why should I? I stepped out of a boundary that was set and was met with a justified punishment. Plus he apologized” Athena said, her previous broken demeanor completely gone. Calm and composed like she always was. No weakness in sight like. Just like dad.

“You don’t understand why? You don’t think that his punishment went too far?” Aphrodite questioned. Walking closer to the bed.

“No, I’ve been warned before and I didn’t listen so it's reasonable and as I said he apologized” Athena responded, getting slightly annoyed by their questioning.

“But he aimed a bolt at you and slapped you-” 

“No, No, No, I don’t think you all are listening. He’s already apologized” Athena interjected, confused on how they find these few words so hard to understand.

“Thena, these few words shouldn’t have to be the decider of your feelings” Artemis whispered, leaning on her older sister’s shoulders. Being a few years younger shouldn’t make you feel like your perspective on things are vastly different.

“There's no feelings to decide about, it's just about accepting or avoiding the consequences of your own choice. If mercy is given, accept it, if there's none, accept it either way. If You’re wrong then accept it” Athena said, leaning back on her sister’s head.

“You genuinely think you’re in the wrong?” Apollo asked softly, looking at Athena with pity in his eyes.

“What else could it be? If I was right then I wouldn't have been punished. If I was right, Dad wouldn't be apologizing for punishing me” Athena questioned.

“Wait, so every time you were punished, you find no problem with it?”

“Yeah, he apologized every single time. He said he feels bad, every time after the first hit he apologizes. So I don’t think he wants to punish me either."

“Athena, you do know his apologies are not genuine… right?” Hades said softly, meeting everyone's eyes and then Athena’s. Everyone but Athena seemed to have long figured out that Zeus was a sick and manipulative bastard.

But Athena, Goddess of wisdom, the smart one, the sensible one, couldn’t differentiate the different meanings of an apology.

“I do know that…but Dad’s ones are genuine…right? Athena’s voice cracked, unwilling to believe it.

“Why Athena? Why do you trust him so much?” Hera herself didn't even trust her own husband. If his infidelity is anything to go by, no one should trust him. So why did Athena trust him so much to the point that she refused to believe he would ever have ill intentions towards her.

“He..he said something” Athena said, her face contorted into confused expression.

“What did he say?” Hestia questioned, insinuating for her to continue.

“He said…He promised something but……I can barely remember only some small parts ” Athena said, digging through her mind to find some sort of phrase or promise to remember.

“It's okay, tell us what you remember?” Demeter urged her to continue.

“It was something about my mom”

Chapter Text

Everyone stared at Athena at the mention of her mom, their eyes wide from shock unsure how to respond. Metis has been long gone and nothing was going to change that. And to think Zeus used her name as a leverage against Athena was unbelievable.

But to Hera something wasn't adding up.

“Wait, Athena you have the best memory among all of us here right?” Hera asked, looking at Athena and then turning to meet everyone's eyes.

“Yeah..I assume so?” Athena responded, the sudden change of demeanor from everyone was starting to feel a little awkward. Also what did this question have to do with anything?

“So you’re telling me the person that has the best memory among us all, is unable to remember something related to a person as important as her mom?” Hera let the question hang in the air, this whole thing just felt like a trick.

“Do you think dad did anything?” Ares asked, turning around to meet everyone's confused expression.

“...Maybe, it's not out of character for him to do so,” Hades said, turning to his nephew. There was something irking him but he didn’t know what. Maybe Zeus in itself was a reason to be irking at something.

“Athena, is there any other thing you remember?” Artemis asked, pulling her head up from her shoulders. Turning to Athena and watching her expression switch.

“What? Do you remember anything?” Hephaestus questioned, summoning a notepad and a pencil to prepare for anything to be noted down.

“Well..there was this thing, I heard him say something about contro-” Athena said but it sounded more like a question. 

“Athena? What else were you going to say? Hades asked, his voice getting more annoyed by the second. His annoyances were not directed to anyone in the room but more towards that annoying asshole sick bastard of a brother.

“Athena, what's wrong?” Hestia questioned, noticing Athena's blanked out state.

“I-it feels like everytime I try to remember what he said, it feels like something would block my memory…” Athena remarked, her mind drifting off.

“Do you want us to find the memory for you? Hephaestus suggested, technically they were able to see one's memory but he was unsure if it would've worked if the person itself couldn’t remember the full memory.

“Sure, but I don’t know if it's going to work” Athena agreed hesitantly, obviously she wanted to know what was being blocked out of her memory but on the other hand she also didn’t really want to know.

“You’re able to see whatever memory we’re finding in your brain right?” Artemis asked carefully not wanting to trigger Athena's senses and have her block them from her brain unintentionally.

Athena nodded, unsure on where Artemis’s question was going. 

“That’s good, it means that if we do find your memory you can also see it first hand instead of relying on us describing it for you” Artemis stated, smiling at her conclusion.

“Okay, Now if you don’t mind pull us into quick thought or whatever those memory things are called” Ares said, grinning as Athena rolled her eyes at his ‘order’.

A haze of blur erupted around them all, spinning them around and around. The scenery changed from a room in a palace to a random marvel floor just hanging on the skies, before dropping all of them down.

“Ow, what is it with Athena's memory mind thing?” Dionysus groaned, his head hitting the marble floor.

“Why does her method of transportation to her memories include a tornado? Now my shoe is lost” Hermes grumbled, his bare feet admitting a disgusting smell.

“Ew, Hermes, do you not shower?” Aphrodite questioned as everyone covered their nose.

“I DO, it's just that my sweat glands are a little uncontrollable” Hermes huffed as everyone else made gagging noises.

“Okay that's enough with your shower talk, we need to focus on Athena's memories” Hera stated. Almost as if on cue, a scene started playing in front of them.

“Odysseus this is not how you should be sparring this is completely wrong. Also if you get this wrong one more time, I will be telling Penelope” Athena smiled.

“What?! No, I’m sorry I’ll take this seriously. I need her to think that I’m cool. That I’m strong and worth her hand. So please I’ll take it seriously” Oddyseus whined.

“You are unbelievable,” Athena huffed.

“Okay. So not this memory” Apollo said, requesting for whatever sorting, organizing memory to show them another scene.

“Come on Ares, just give me the damn spear” Athena grumbled, reaching out for it.

“I think not,” Ares grinned, holding the spear up higher.

“Aresss” Athena whined in annoyance.

“What You’re too short for it or something? Because last I recalled you said you were growing” Ares laughed, taunting his sister. It was not received well.

Athena threw a rock towards his leg.

“Yup, definitely not this memory” Ares said, conflicted on how to feel. On one hand the rock hitting his leg hurt like a bitch, but on the other hand, Athena barely grew so….

“I’m just here to say Athena didn’t grow” Hephaestus laughed, as a chorus of laughter formed in agreement.

Then the next scene came.

“Hello father” Athena curtsied, stumbling upon Zeus as she took her nightly walk with her owl named owl. 

“Daughter” Zeus gruffed out, accepting his young daughter’s hug.

“Father, what brings you here today?” Athena asked, looking at her father with owl-like eyes. Clearly, Zeus was creeped out too, but didn’t say it.

“I’m here to find you” Zeus answered, matter-of-factly.

“Me? Why?” Athena questioned, her demeanor already changing. Almost as if she was going to play a game towards her advantage if this was about a punishment.

“Be at ease daughter, this is no punishment” Zeus laughed, his daughter’s perceptive behavior was something that could be used later on.

“Then father, what could you possibly be asking me about?” Athena huffed, speaking more like a child to their dad than a princess to her King. We all know which way of speaking Zeus would prefer, but this time he didn’t mind.

“I can tell this is going to be filled with lies” Demeter interrupted as everyone hummed in agreement.

“You’re aware of the circumstances of your mother, yes?” Zeus asked, crouching down to Athena's level to make it seem like there was no power play at hand.

“Y-yes father” Athena responded, she didn’t like where this was going. Frankly, any mentions of her mother was enough to make her feel uneasy.

“Well, do you want her back?” Zeus asked, feigning a regretful smile at his daughter.

“Yes father, I wish for her to be back” Athena said, her mind drifting off to the dark place, a very dark place where her mother and her once were. Now the only one left in there was her mother.

“I could bring her back, but it would take a century to do so,” Zeus said. “But there is a way I could bring her back faster” He quickly added after seeing Athena's smile drop.

“ Really? How?” Athena asked, but got confused when Zeus pointed at her. “Huh, Me?” she questioned.

“Yes, you. I can speed it up by a few decades with your help” Zeus answered. It felt like he was giving more questions than answers on purpose.

“What do I have to do?” Athena asked nervously as her dad pointed at her ears.

“You have to listen,” Zeus responded.

“Listen?”

“Yes, you have to listen to my every word. If not, the process would take a few more centuries if you even step a toe out of line” Zeus said, using his King voice towards his daughter. “So what do you say?”

“...I have to do everything you say?” Zeus nodded, he could tell her apprehension and wisdom was going to be a problem. But that was a problem for another day.

“Why do you think so much, daughter? Do you not want this?” Zeus taunted, creating a scene with clouds. The clouds were shaped into a replica of Athena and Metis, both playing and having fun. Athena watched as her replica got something she didn’t and that was being able to have fun with her mother.

“I-I do want that father” Athena said shakily, her eyes still completely focused on the scene in front of her. I want that.

“So, are you willing to do whatever I ask in exchange for your mother?” Zeus asked once more, making the scene disappear abruptly to prove a point of how fast he could change your life.

“...yes father” Athena hesitantly agreed, she didn’t know what he would make her do but she wanted her mother back and that seemed like the more important choice.

“THAT SICK FUCKING BASTARD OF A KING” Hades shouted, the vein in his neck popping out. 

“He used her mom against her, that’s why she always played as the favorite” Dionysus realized.

“Wait a minute” Hera said, causing all heads to turn to her.

“Why was it so hard for Athena to access her own memory, but we were able to reach her memories with a single command?” Hera said.

“That’s true, it almost feels like her mind is not willing to cooperate with her?” Artemis stated.

“Do you think we will be able to find the memories that were being hidden from her just by asking? Hephaestus suggested. Everyone seemed to agree that it wouldn't hurt to try but yet Hephaestus was still worried.

“Er memory thing, show us the memory that is being hidden from Athena” Hermes requested.

Surprisingly a scene started playing.

Walking through the gardens of Olympus, Athena was playing hide and seek with her owl before stumbling before Zeus in the garden. 

“Hi Da-” Athena stopped herself from greeting her dad and hid behind a bush when she heard her dad talking to an advisor.

“My lord, your promise to lady Athena cannot be done” A male nymph advisor said.

“I’m well aware Alfred, but it is because of that that I made that promise in the first place” Zeus chuckled.

“I’m not sure I understand my lord,” Alfred said.

“My daughter is a perceptive person, she will grow up to become a cunning and calculating goddess. And I cannot have that, she will be harder to control and will challenge my every move” Zeus explained gravely, the thought of even losing his throne was always a thorn at his side.

“I have a suggestion my lord” Alfred said, as Zeus urged him to continue.

“Lady Athena would eventually catch up on this unfulfillable promise, so I suggest erasing her memory the moment she brings up her mother,” Alfred suggested, sharing a smile with his lord, showing a bottle of drugs to Zeus .

“Alfred oh Alfred what would I do without you” Zeus laughed patting Alfred’s back. 

Athena unknowingly gasped at what she heard, causing the two men to snap his head towards her. She wanted to run, but she stood frozen in place, unable to comprehend just how bad of a person her father was.

Walking towards Athena, Zeus grinned, feeling that this was the perfect opportunity to test out what Alfred said.

“F-father, y-you p-promise m-my m-mom” Athena stuttered out, tears falling down her face.

“I’m sorry daughter” Zeus sadly said feigning sadness and guilt.

“M-my m-mom father. I w-want m-my m-mom” Athena cried.

“I know this hurts you deeply Athena and that even the mere thought of your mom makes your heart ache. So your father shall help you with that” Zeus smiled, knocking Athena unconscious.

“Alfred pass me the drugs” Zeus ordered, grabbing the drugs from Alfred's hand. Forcing it into Athena’s mouth one after the other. In the end he must have forced thirty tablets of hazy and memory erasing drugs into Athena’s body.

“You are a genius Alfred” Zeus laughed, as they left Athena in the middle of the garden and walked away.

“So he does this every time?” Hestia gasped, watching young Athena’s unconscious body on the ground.

“But that’s his own daughter” Demeter commented, shocked by how one could do that to their own child.

“We need to get out of here and do something” Apollo said, looking at everyone.

“Athena’s mind thing, bring us back” Apollo ordered.

The random tornado swept everyone and Hermes’s shoes again, blurring their vision. 

“What the fuck stop the freaking tornado” Aphrodite screamed, getting hit in the face by Hermes’s shoes.

They dropped back to ground as Athena tried not to laugh. They struggled to get back on their feet but managed to do so.

“Why the hell is your transportation of choice for us a freaking tornado” Hephaestus sighed.

“Anyways, how do you feel about the memories?” Hades asked, he knew Athena watched the memories with them but if they were shocked he didn’t know how she would feel.

Athena knitted her eyebrows before answering.

What memories?

Chapter Text

“We’re back to square one aren't we?” Ares sighed, looking at everyone worriedly. Athena seemed conflicted on whether to ask about the memories or to keep quiet about it in the hopes from stopping everyone from worrying.

“Well…we found out about it? So at least we know some of the information” Hermes said, wincing as he completed the sentence. He knew real well his completely blind optimism was not helping. But what else could we do?

“I guess that’s true but do you think we should confront him? Like storming up to his throne room and demand for answers?” Apollo asked, summoning a bow in his hands ready to fight the anger and adrenaline in his veins telling him to fight regardless of the damage.

“Woah woah woah. Did you all collectively decide that I wasn't here? What are we talking about? Why are we demanding for answers? What did you find out?” Athena interrupted, the frustration of being left out from the information evident in her voice.

She wasn't up to date with anything they were talking about. Getting lost and confused with every word they said. And as the goddess of wisdom she hated that feeling. Ever since that stupid game it's like her domain of wisdom and war didn’t matter anymore. There was a war raging within her own mind and body taking over and killing any remaining wisdom in her brain.

Basically, she did not like this feeling.

“Oh. Right You’re here hehe” Hermes chuckled softly, not like he was going to admit this in front of everyone but he genuinely forgot that she was here. It was unnatural for Athena to keep quiet about things for such a long time, so he just sorta assumed she wasn't here. Unfortunately the glare he so often received from her was the only remnants of her healthy self.

“So are you all going to tell me or not?” Athena snapped the annoyance getting to her. Huffing as Hestia nodded slowly and glaring at everyone else. She didn’t want to hear a single word about her not being a good patient because frankly she had every right to act this way.

“So it started with your younger self in the gardens…..” Ares recounted carefully watching Athena’s expression to make sure to tone it down if it was too much. Apollo and Hermes joined in with him with the reenactment of the promise and the drugging. 

“...so he then left you on the ground and walked away” Ares ended. Lending in a hand to Hermes to pick him off the ground after acting as younger unconscious Athena.

“hmmm” Athena hummed, processing the information and making absolutely no comments about it much to everyone's concern. 

“Athena? Sweetheart, it's okay if you want to ask any questions. I know it's hard to process it but if you want to talk about it we’re here” Hera said softly, her voice filled with worry for her stepdaughter.

“T-the drugs is he still doing it?” Athena asked, uncharacteristically docile. A shiver went down her spine when Hera nodded slowly but hesitantly.

“I mean you never know, you could be fine. Maybe that was just a one time thing” Aphrodite tried, hoping to cheer Athena up. She was no stranger to being drugged by men for their own pleasure, but thankfully she managed to escape every single one of them. But this was Zeus they were talking about. Athena's very own father drugged her. 

“D-do you think he ever tried to..you know” Athena asked hesitantly, she cherished and took her maidenhood very seriously. So she pushed away the whole trying to tame her situation and focused on this instead.

“I-I can’t say for sure but I don’t think so. Your maidenhood was an oath made to the styx so surely if it was broken you would have known” Hephaestus assured, smiling softly in order to convince Athena that there was nothing to worry about. The problem was that they knew what Zeus was like. What's worse was that they wouldn't even know if he did anything to her. They wouldn't know if he did everything other than the one thing that breaks her maidenhood.

To put it simply. Zeus was extremely unpredictable.

“o-okay I believe you” Athena said, clinging to any source of hope that her father never did anything to her.

“So…how do you wish to proceed with this Athena?” Hades asked, this was about Athena after all so she gets to decide. But if it was up to him, he would've slit that bastard’s throat and drown him the acidic rivers in Tartarus and punish him together with their father. Not to mention that sick advisor Alfred he should join them for all he cares.

“I-I’m not sure. What can I- What can we even do?” Athena asked, her eyes meeting each and everyone of them begging for an answer. Begging for hope or a solution that doesn’t exist.

“Athena…maybe we could find a solution?” Artemis tried, but she herself didn’t believe it. Everyone in the room didn’t believe it, they knew real well that the power imbalance was too much.

“Even you know that it's hopeless” Athena sighed, getting up albeit struggling to get out of the bed. Her bandages were wrapped so tightly to stop the ichor from leaking but it was so tight that she felt that her skin was being bruised.

“Hey don’t get up you need to rest” Demeter said, trying to stop Athena from getting up. Clearly it didn’t work since Athena managed to muster up enough of her remaining strength to push her away.

“I don’t need to rest. What I need is to get out” Athena gritted out of her teeth as the pain from the wounds radiated through her entire body. Nonetheless she needed to leave, she needed to breathe and figure out what to do. It's just that for once in her life the goddess of wisdom ran out of wisdom to solve her problems.

“Then what are you going to do, Athena?” Hephaestus asked tiredly. His younger sister was always stubborn in this aspect. Always thinking a step ahead before considering the options she currently had.

“I don’t know. I just need to do something. I’ll just figure it out on the way. Maybe escape dad or something” Athena sighed. She didn’t want to admit this but she really didn’t know what to do but she also didn’t want to leave. It's just she’s just been treated so ‘well’ by Zeus that it's hard to flip the switch with her opinion about him.

Suddenly a rumble within the underworld was heard. A rumble that was all too familiar. A thunderstorm was heard. The underworld was deep enough underground to drown out the noise but it was loud enough for Athena to be sent into a spiral.

“No no no no no” Athena cried falling back onto the ground going back into her pathetic self just like before prior to being slapped by Zeus. Covering her ears with her hands and frantically trying to see clearly through her tears.

“Athena its-” Hera started before being rudely interrupted.

“Daughter, are you sure you want to escape me?” Zeus questioned with a smirk. Joining the family reunion that he was so rudely excluded from. Slowly landing on his feet as he glided down from the air for his dramatic entrance.

“ZEUS!” Hades shouted, summoning one of his sharpest spear onto his right arm. 

“Brother it's great to see you” Zeus smirked knowing real well he was pissing Hades off. Walking as close as he could to his brother and patting his back.

“WHAT DO YOU WANT ZEUS” Hades asked, clenching tightly onto his spear. He didn’t know exactly why he was here but he knew he wouldn't be letting Zeus to hurt his niece.

“Well I would like to see my FAVOURITE daughter” Zeus said emphasizing his favor towards his daughter. Pointing at his daughter he walked towards her.

“Not so fast husband” Hera spat, blocking Zeus from moving forwards. Allowing Hades and Ares to point their spears towards Zeus’s throat. Hestia and Hephaestus stood by, prepared to light the place on fire if the situation called for it. The rest of them circled around Zeus with their powers and weapons ready.

“Okay okay” Zeus laughed, putting his hands up in mock surrender. It was sweet really, the way they’re trying to protect Athena. It really was sweet but it was sweeter to destroy this scene.

“LEAVE IF YOU DON’T WANT US TO ATTACK” Demeter threatened, growing ivy to wrap around Zeus’s legs to keep him in place. If Athena wasn’t on the ground she would’ve covered the whole floor with Ivy.

“Awww how sweet” Zeus mocked looking at the ivy on his legs. 

“I must say though. None of you and I mean none of you know how much power I have” Zeus threatened. Glaring at everyone and staring at Athena dead in the eyes.

“Yeah, keep telling yourself that. We are your siblings we get equal powers the only difference is your pathetic title as KING” Hades spat growing annoyed by Zeus by the second.

“Well this was fun but I have been hiding my true powers for YEARS. So I advise you all to appreciate being one of the first few people to witness it” Zeus laughed, raising his lightning bolt and sending a huge blast towards everyone in the room, leaving them temporarily paralyzed, breaking the ivy at his leg at the same time. Everyone except Athena.

“Athena why do you fear me so much?” Zeus said softly, almost mockingly as he crouched to the ground.

“F-father” Athena greeted, trying her best to squirm away and hide herself.

“Athena explain to me, why are you being like this to me?” Zeus asked, feigning hurt. He knew exactly why she was like this. And frankly? He couldn’t care less. But she was a useful person after all.

“Y-you drugged me y-y-ou promised me” Athena accused, meeting her father's eyes. The tears continued to fall as she thought about how this man, her father, the same father who had played with her in the gardens and gave her whatever she wanted was the same man who drugged her. Who lied to her. Who tricked her.

“Athena, my young one. Why do you lack so much trust in me that you don’t think that I did it for your own good?” Zeus said softly, cocking his head to the side pretending to be confused from her lack of trust.

“Y-you d-drugged me. W-why?” Athena cried. Her naive younger persona came out sending a pleading look to Zeus. 

“I did it for a good purpose. Remember?” Zeus said, receiving a confused look from Athena. “You were supposed to do whatever I want without question” he added sternly, his blue eyes turning a dark lightning blue.

“B-but that d-doesn’t j-justify anything” Athena whispered, questioning if she stepped out of line.

“Athena there is no need for a justification if you have agreed to listen and take part in whatever I wanted to do” Zeus said letting his disappointment seep into his tone.

“B-but” Athena tried before a hand collided with her face.

“NO BUTS” Zeus shouted, sending a loud slap across Athena's face. He wondered why Athena kept messing up after centuries of perfectionism but now she had to earn multiple slaps from him.

“I’m sorry Athena. I’m really sorry, you know that I do things for your own good. You know that right? Right daughter?” Zeus apologized profusely. He knew Athena would let her guilt and confusion consume her and eventually break down.

“You’re sorry?” Athena asked meekly, completely ignoring the slap.

“ATHENA DON’T HE’S LYING” Hera shouted, still paralyzed to the ground. But she was all too familiar with her husband's game. She’s fallen victim to it one too many times for her liking.

“Athena don’t listen to her. She’s crazy, remember? After all, why would you believe your stepmother over your own father” Zeus said convincingly. Well technically it wasn't even convincing but he knew. He knew Athena was clinging onto any hope that he still cared. 

Or if he ever did.

“C-crazy? She’s c-crazy? Why- how I don’t- really?” Athena asked, confused and dazed. She could have sworn Hera was caring for her just mere moments and days ago. So was she really crazy? Did she feed her lies to turn her against him?

“ATHENA DON’T BELIEVE HIM. REMEMBER YOUR MEMORIES?” Hades shouted before groaning in pain as Zeus sent another wave of pain with a flick of his wrist.

“My memories. Right, my memories. You-” Athena tried before being interrupted.

“Athena. I just said they were crazy. Why do you believe them over me? Do you really think I will break my promise about your mother?” Zeus reminded sending a smirk towards his siblings and children's. He may not have any leverage against them.

But Athena was enough.

Enough to control.

“I-I d-don’t k-know” Athena admitted, finally meeting her father's eyes once more after the slap.

“Your mother Athena. Remember you want your mother? Don’t you want your mommy?” Zeus mocked and taunted.

“So you believe me right my LITTLE OWL?” Zeus asked, using her special nickname to feign any remnants of a trusting and happy relationship they once had as father and daughter.

“I-I b-believe you” Athena relented.

—

“No no no She’s believing him” Hephaestus said horrified at the scene currently unfolding in front of them.

“Do you think she'll ever escape it?” Artemis asked worriedly. Clearly Zeus’s words were having an effect on Athena.

“At this rate I don’t think so” Hestia said sadly as Athena accepted Zeus’s hands. As she got up from the floor and smiling like nothing happened.

—

“That’s good Athena thank you for trusting me” Zeus smiled. “You should take a rest” he added as he sent Athena back to Olympus to rest.

Turning back to his paralyzed family Zeus smirked.

“I told you. She will always believe me” he smiled. "Don't worry the paralysis will only last for a day" he added and walked away.